U.S. patent application number 12/650197 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-02 for adjustable and suppressible gas operating system for an automatic firearm.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Michael T. Mayberry, Mike Morgan, Brian Nakayama, Eric Nakayama.
Application Number | 20100218671 12/650197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42666428 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100218671 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayberry; Michael T. ; et
al. |
September 2, 2010 |
Adjustable and Suppressible Gas Operating System for an Automatic
Firearm
Abstract
A gas operating system for a firearm comprises a gas block
defining a cylinder, a discharge gas vent coupled to the cylinder
near a proximal end of the cylinder and a discharge gas inlet
configured for pneumatic coupling with the barrel of a firearm near
the proximal end of the cylinder. A piston in the cylinder is
movable from a rest position distal of the discharge gas vent and
the discharge gas inlet against the action of a return spring by
discharge gas from a barrel of a firearm pneumatically coupled to
the discharge gas inlet. A regulator is pneumatically coupled to
the discharge gas vent to selectively control the flow of discharge
gas from the discharge gas vent to modulate a volume of discharge
gas advancing the piston. A diffuser may be provided pneumatically
coupled to the regulator for diffusing any audible or visual
report.
Inventors: |
Mayberry; Michael T.;
(Denver, CO) ; Nakayama; Brian; (Arvada, CO)
; Morgan; Mike; (Windsor, CO) ; Nakayama;
Eric; (Broomfield, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SWANSON & BRATSCHUN, L.L.C.
8210 SOUTHPARK TERRACE
LITTLETON
CO
80120
US
|
Assignee: |
MAGPUL INDUSTRIES
CORPORATION
Boulder
CO
|
Family ID: |
42666428 |
Appl. No.: |
12/650197 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61141583 |
Dec 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/192 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 5/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/192 |
International
Class: |
F41A 5/26 20060101
F41A005/26; F41A 21/30 20060101 F41A021/30 |
Claims
1. A gas operating system for a firearm comprising: a gas block
defining a cylinder, a discharge gas vent pneumatically coupled to
the cylinder near a proximal end of the cylinder and a discharge
gas inlet configured for pneumatic coupling with a barrel of a
firearm near the proximal end of the cylinder; a piston residing in
the cylinder, the piston being movable from a rest position distal
of the discharge gas vent and the discharge gas inlet against the
action of a return spring by discharge gas from a barrel of a
firearm introduced into the inlet upon discharge of a firearm
having a barrel pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas inlet;
and a regulator pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent to
selectively control a flow of discharge gas from the discharge gas
vent to modulate a volume of discharge gas advancing the
piston.
2. The gas operating system of claim 1 wherein the regulator
comprises at least two orifices of different size which can be
selectively pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent to
control the flow of discharge gas from the discharge gas vent.
3. The gas operating system of claim 2 further comprising the
regulator being attached to the gas block and rotatable relative to
the gas block about a rotation axis, the at least two orifices
being radially spaced from the axis, and the orifices being
configured to be selectively pneumatically coupled to the gas
discharge vent by rotation of the regulator about the axis.
4. The gas operating system of claim 3 further comprising the gas
block defining a cylindrical cavity communicating with the
discharge gas vent and the regulator comprising a cylindrical plug
sized to be received in the cylindrical cavity along the rotation
axis, the at least two orifices being defined in the cylindrical
plug.
5. The gas operating system of claim 4 further comprising means
removably attaching the regulator to the gas block.
6. The gas operating system of claim 5 wherein the removably
attaching means comprises a pair of lugs extending radially from
the cylindrical plug and annular channel in the cylindrical cavity
configured to receive the lugs.
7. The gas operating system of claim 6 wherein the regulator
further comprises a plurality of notches about the cylindrical plug
and the gas block further comprises a spring loaded detent, the
notches, the spring loaded detent and the orifices being configured
for the spring loaded detent to extend into a notch with a select
one of the at least two orifices pneumatically coupled to the gas
discharge vent.
8. The gas operating system of claim 1 further comprising a
diffuser pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent.
9. A gas operating system for a firearm comprising: a gas block
defining a cylinder, a discharge gas vent pneumatically coupled to
the cylinder near a proximal end of the cylinder and a discharge
gas inlet configured for pneumatic coupling with a barrel of a
firearm near the proximal end of the cylinder; a piston residing in
the cylinder, the piston being movable from a rest position distal
of the discharge gas vent and the discharge gas inlet against the
action of a return spring by discharge gas from a barrel of a
firearm introduced into the inlet upon discharge of a firearm
having a barrel pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas inlet;
and a diffuser comprising an expansion chamber, the expansion
chamber being pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent.
10. The gas operating system of claim 9 further comprising a
regulator pneumatically coupled between the discharge gas vent and
the diffuser to selectively control a flow of discharge gas from
the discharge gas vent to modulate a volume of discharge gases
advancing the piston.
11. The gas operating system of claim 10 wherein the regulator
comprises at least two orifices of different size which can be
selectively pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent to
selectively control the flow of discharge gas from the discharge
gas vent.
12. The gas operating system of claim 11 further comprising the
regulator being attached to the gas block and rotatable relative to
the gas block about a rotation axis, the at least two orifices
being radially spaced from the rotation axis, and the orifices
being configured to be selectively pneumatically coupled to the gas
discharge vent by rotation of the regulator about the rotation
axis.
13. The gas operating system of claim 12 further comprising the gas
block defining a cylindrical cavity communicating with the
discharge gas vent and the regulator comprising a cylindrical plug
sized to be received in the cylindrical cavity along the rotation
axis, the at least two orifices being defined in the cylindrical
plug.
14. The gas operating system of claim 13 further comprising means
removably attaching the regulator to the gas block.
15. The gas operating system of claim 14 wherein the removably
attaching means comprises a pair of lugs extending radially from
the cylindrical plug and annular channel in the cylindrical cavity
configured to receive the lugs.
16. The gas operating system of claim 15 wherein the regulator
further comprises a plurality of notches about the cylindrical plug
and the gas block further comprises a spring loaded detent, the
notches, the spring loaded detent and the orifices being configured
for the spring loaded detent to extend into a notch with a select
one of the at least two orifices pneumatically coupled to the gas
discharge vent.
17. The gas operating system of claim 11 further comprising means
removably attaching the suppressor to the regulator with the
orifices pneumatically coupled to the expansion chamber.
18. The gas operating system of claim 9 further comprising a
suppressor operatively associated with a muzzle of the barrel.
19. The gas operating system of claim 17 further comprising a
cylindrical cavity defined in the regulator opposite the
cylindrical plug, the diffuser comprising at least one radical
baffle inserted in the cylindrical cavity of the regulator, the
cylindrical cavity and the baffle cooperating to define the
expansion chamber, and the means removably attaching the diffuser
to the regulator comprises mating threads between the cylindrical
cavity and the regulator.
20. An automatic firearm comprising: a gas operating system
comprising a gas block defining a cylinder and a piston within the
cylinder, the cylinder being pneumatically coupled to a barrel of
the automatic firearm, the piston being advanced in the cylinder
against the action of the return spring by discharge gas released
in the barrel upon firing the automatic firearm and the gas block
further comprising a discharge gas vent pneumatically coupled to
the cylinder; a regulator pneumatically coupled to the discharge
gas vent to selectively control a flow of discharge gas from the
discharge gas vent to modulate a volume of discharge gas advancing
the piston; and a diffuser comprising an expansion chamber, the
expansion chamber being pneumatically coupled to the regulator.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/141,583, filed Dec. 30, 2008,
entitled "Adjustable and Suppressible Gas Operating System for an
Automatic Firearm" which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is directed to firearms, and more
particularly to an adjustable and suppressible gas operating system
for an automatic firearm.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Gas operating systems are well known in the firearm arts and
have been used for many years to automatically reload firearms. Gas
operating systems use a portion of the gases generated from firing
of the firearm (hereinafter, discharge gas) to drive an internal
reload mechanism.
[0004] Sometimes more or less power may be necessary to drive the
gas operating system depending on various factors such as build up
of particulates in the gas discharge system and how the firearm is
being used. For example, as particulate deposits collect within the
gas discharge system, more power may be required to drive the
system. In another example, if the firearm uses a sound suppressor
on the muzzle of the barrel this may act to increase the pressure
and duration of the discharge gas supplied to the gas operating
system. In this instance it may be desirable to limit the supply of
discharge gas to the gas operating system to prevent overpowering
the system which may damage or fatigue components of the operating
system. Thus, a reliable mechanism for controlling the amount of
discharge gas available for driving the gas operating system is
desired.
[0005] Venting of discharge gas from the gas operating system is
one way to limit discharge gas driving the gas operating system.
However venting discharge gas may lead to a visual or audible
report which may be undesirable. The problem of a visual and
audible report is enhanced when more discharge gas is vented from
the system. This may be particularly acute in the example discussed
above where a suppresser is utilized on the muzzle of the barrel of
an automatic firearm. While there is a need to vent a greater
amount of discharge gas from the gas operating system with the use
of a suppresser on the barrel of a firearm, the visual and audible
report resulting from venting of the discharge gas can act to
undermine the very benefits sought by the use of the suppresser.
Thus, a lightweight, inexpensive and reliable manner to diffuse the
visual and audible report from discharge gases vented by the gas
operating system is desired.
[0006] The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or
more of the problems discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0007] A first aspect of the invention is a gas operating system
for a firearm. The gas operating system comprises a gas block
defining a cylinder, a discharge gas vent pneumatically coupled to
the cylinder near a proximal end of the cylinder and a discharge
gas inlet configured for pneumatic coupling with the barrel of a
firearm near the proximal end of the cylinder. A piston resides in
the cylinder. The piston is movable from a rest position distal of
the discharge gas vent and the discharge gas inlet against the
action of a return spring by discharge gas from a barrel of a
firearm introduced into the inlet upon discharge of a firearm
having a barrel pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas inlet. A
regulator is pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent to
selectively control the flow of discharge gas from the discharge
gas vent to modulate a volume of discharge gas advancing the
piston. In one embodiment the regulator comprises orifices of
different sizes which can be selectively pneumatically coupled to
the discharge gas vent to selectively control the flow of discharge
gas from the discharge gas vent. This embodiment may comprise the
regulator being attached to the gas block and rotatable relative to
the gas block about a rotation axis. The at least two orifices are
radially spaced from the axis and are configured to be selectively
pneumatically coupled to the gas discharge vent by rotation of the
regulator about the rotation axis. Another embodiment may further
include the gas block defining a cylindrical cavity communicating
with the discharge gas vent. In this embodiment the regulator
comprises a cylindrical plug sized to be received in the
cylindrical cavity along the rotation axis. The at least two
orifices are defined in the cylindrical plug. To facilitate
disassembly and cleaning of the gas operating system including the
regulator, the regulator may be removably attached to the gas
block. The regulator may be removably attached to the gas block by
a pair of lugs extending radially from the cylindrical plug which
may be selectively received in an annular channel in the
cylindrical cavity configured to receive the lugs. The regulator
may further comprise a plurality of notches about the cylindrical
plug and the gas block may further comprise a spring loaded detent.
The notches, the spring loaded detent and the orifices are
configured for the spring loaded detent to extend into a notch with
a select one of the at least two orifices pneumatically coupled to
the gas discharge vent. Means may further be provided for removably
attaching the diffuser to the regulator.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention is an automatic firearm
comprising a gas operating system as described above. A diffuser
comprising an expansion chamber is provided with the expansion
chamber pneumatically coupled to the discharge gas vent.
[0009] The gas operating system using a regulator pneumatically
coupled to the discharge gas vent to selectively control a flow of
discharge gas from the discharge gas vent allows for the regulation
of discharge gas provided to the gas operating system while
removing the regulator from the immediate vicinity of the firearm
barrel. As a result, the regulator is subjected to reduced pressure
from the discharge gas because a portion of the discharge gas from
the firearm is always used to operate the gas operating system. In
addition, the regulator will be subject to substantially less wear
as well as less buildup of particulate debris on the regulator
which, with time, degrades the utility of the regulator. Because
the regulator allows for a select amount of discharge gas to be
used to drive the gas operating system, only enough gas necessary
to reliably power the gas operating system without overdriving it
can be provided to the gas operating system. For example, in one
embodiment three gas settings may be available: regular, extra
power and suppressed. The "regular" setting is used for normal
operation and features an orifice designed to vent only enough gas
to reliably power the gas operating system without overdriving it.
"Extra power" uses a constricted orifice to allow more gas to
operate the piston if the weapon is fouled through extended use
without cleaning or because of environmental debris. The
"suppressed" setting is used in conjunction with a sound suppressor
on the muzzle of a barrel of a firearm and has the largest sized
orifice to vent a greater volume of gas to prevent overdriving of
the gas operating system. The diffuser in accordance with the
present invention is particularly advantageous when a suppressor is
used on a firearm utilizing the gas operating system. The diffuser
functions to minimize both the audible and visual report of vented
discharge gas of the gas operating system which might otherwise
defeat the advantages of the suppressor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barrel of a firearm
including a gas operating system in accordance with the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a regulator and diffuser for
use with the gas operating system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of the gas operating
system taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing
quantities of ingredients, dimensions reaction conditions and so
forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as
being modified in all instances by the term "about".
[0015] In this application and the claims, the use of the singular
includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. In
addition, use of "or" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise.
Moreover, the use of the term "including", as well as other forms,
such as "includes" and "included", is not limiting. Also, terms
such as "element" or "component" encompass both elements and
components comprising one unit and elements and components that
comprise more than one unit unless specifically stated
otherwise.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a barrel 10 of a firearm having a gas
operating system 12 operatively associated therewith. The gas
operating system 12 comprises a gas block 14 physically attached to
the barrel and pneumatically coupled to the barrel, a drive rod 16
extending from the gas block 14 and a return spring 18 which biases
the drive rod 16 and an associated piston residing in the gas block
to a rest position. As is known in the art, on discharge from a
firearm utilizing the barrel 10, discharge gas from the barrel
drives the piston within the gas block rearward relative to the
muzzle 20 enabling the drive rod 16 to drive an automatic reload
mechanism of the firearm. The gas operating system 12 includes a
regulator 22 for venting discharge gas from the gas operating
system to selectively control the power provided to the drive rod
16 to operate the reloading mechanism. A diffuser 24 is connected
to the regulator 22 to suppress a visual and audible report that
may result from venting of discharge gas from the regulator 22.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the regulator and diffuser.
The regulator 22 has a generally cylindrical body extending along
rotation axis 27 including a reduced diameter plug 26 having a pair
of radially extending lugs 28 near a distal end 29 of the plug.
Between the lugs 28 and the distal end 29 of the plug 26 is an
annular groove 30. Opposite the plug 26 the regulator body defines
a cylindrical cavity 32. Internal threads 33 reside near an opening
of the cylindrical cavity 32. A seal ring 34 is configured to be
received in the annular groove 30 as will be described in greater
detail below. In the particular embodiment described herein, three
equally spaced notches 36 are defined at a stepped portion of the
regulator body near a proximal end of the plug 26. These notches 36
cooperate with the detent 38 biased by the coil spring 40 with the
regulator assembled in the gas block as will be described in
greater detail below for selective rotational positioning of the
regulator within a cylindrical cavity 42 defined in the gas block
14. The number of notches is equal to the number of axial orifices
in the plug, as will be described in greater detail below.
[0018] The diffuser 24 depicted in FIG. 2 consists of a cylindrical
body 46 having two radial baffles 48 extending axially along the
rotation axis 27. The cylindrical body 46 has external threads 50
configured for threaded engagement with the internal threads 33 of
the cylindrical cavity 32. As depicted in FIG. 4, the cylindrical
body 46 defines an interior cavity 51. A pair of opposing notches
52 is defined in a lip 53 of the cylindrical body 46 defining the
interior cavity 51. An annular groove 54 resides between the
external threads 50 and the lip 53 of the cylindrical body 46. Lock
ring 56 is configured to be received in the annular groove 54 and
includes an axial pin 58. With the diffuser 24 threadably engaged
with the regulator 22 as depicted in FIG. 4, the lock ring 56 and
axial pin 58 prevent relative rotation between the diffuser 24 and
the regulator 22.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the barrel and gas operating
system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken
along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the gas operating system,
regulator and diffuser in an assembled state. Referring to FIG. 4,
the gas block 14 is seen to define a cylinder 64 having an inlet 66
near a proximal end 68. As depicted in FIG. 4, the inlet 66 is
configured for pneumatic coupling to a hole 68 in the barrel 10
communicating with the barrel bore 70. A piston 72 is illustrated
in the cylinder 64 in a rest position. The piston 72 receives the
drive rod 16. The gas block 14 further defines a discharge gas vent
74 radially displaced from the rotation axis 27. The discharge vent
74 communicates with the cylindrical cavity 42 of the gas block
14.
[0020] As depicted in FIG. 4, the plug 26 is received in the
cylindrical cavity 42 along the rotation axis 27. The radial lugs
28 are received in an annular channel 76 defined in the cylindrical
cavity 42. Three axial orifices 80, 82, 84 are provided in the plug
26, the axial orifice 80 having the smallest cross-section, the
axial orifice 82 having a medium cross-section, and the axial
orifice 84 having the greatest cross-section. The axial orifices
80, 82, 84 are radially spaced the same distance from the rotation
axis 27 in 120.degree. offsets. Other embodiments could include any
number of axial orifices greater than 1 (e.g., 2, 4, 5, etc.) which
are preferably radially equally spaced. The detent 38 biased by the
cylindrical coil 40 is received in a bore 86 in the gas block 14.
An end of the detent 38 is selectively engageable with the notches
36 by rotation of the regulator 22 about the rotation axis to bring
a desired one of the axial orifices 80, 82, 84 into pneumatic
communication with the discharge gas vent 74. In this manner, the
amount of gas vented from the cylinder 64 and thus the amount of
gas available to drive the piston 72 can be selectively varied. The
seal ring 34 received in the annular groove 30 forms a seal around
the periphery of the plug to minimize the escape of the discharge
gas between the plug 26 and the cylindrical cavity 42.
[0021] The diffuser 24 is shown threadably engaged in the
cylindrical cavity 32 of the regulator 22. Each of the axial
orifices 80, 82, 84 is in pneumatic communication with the
cylindrical cavity 32. With the diffuser 24 installed as depicted
in FIG. 4, the diffuser 24 and the cylindrical cavity 32 cooperate
to define an expansion chamber. The baffles 48 reside between the
expansion chamber 87 and the diffuser outlets 88 to provide
communication between the expansion chamber 87 and the diffuser
exit 90.
[0022] In operation, the regulator 22 is rotatable about the
rotation axis 27 to bring a select axialorifice 80, 82, 84 into
pneumatic communication with the discharge gas vent 74. The detent
38, the notches 36 and the axial orifices 80, 82, 84 are configured
so that with the detent 38 received in a notch 36, a select orifice
is aligned with the discharge gas vent 74. Thus, by simple rotation
of the regulator 22 about the rotation axis 27 the desired amount
of discharge gas can be made available to drive the piston 72 of
the gas operating system. With the diffuser 24 deployed as depicted
in FIG. 4, gas from the aligned axial orifice enters the
cylindrical cavity 32 which cooperates with the diffuser 24 to
define an expansion chamber 87. The baffles 48 contribute to
turbulence within the expansion chamber 87 which diminishes the
audible and visual report of the vented discharge gas as it leaves
the diffuser exit 90.
[0023] The regulator 22 can be readily disassembled from the gas
block 14 by depressing the detent 38 thereby allowing it to ride
outside of its normally constrained track and bypassing the gas
setting notches 36. This allows the regulator additional rotational
freedom to align the lugs 28 with the axial slots 93 in the gas
block. These slots interrupt the gas block annular channel 76
allowing the regulator to be removed. In this manner, the venting
side of the gas block and the diffuser can be cleaned as desired.
Similarly, by removing the block ring 56 the diffuser 24 can be
unscrewed from the regulator 22 for cleaning of the diffuser and
the regulator.
[0024] Various embodiments of the disclosure could also include
permutations of the various elements recited in the claims as if
each dependent claim was multiple dependent claim incorporating the
limitations of each of the preceding dependent claims as well as
the independent claims. Such permutations are expressly within the
scope of this disclosure.
[0025] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to a number of embodiments, it would be
understood by those skilled in the art that changes in the form and
details may be made to the various embodiments disclosed herein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and
that the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to
act as limitations on the scope of the claims. All references cited
herein are incorporated in their entirety by reference.
* * * * *