U.S. patent application number 14/164614 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for weapons system construction and modification.
This patent application is currently assigned to Teludyne Tech Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Teludyne Tech Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Alan Adolphsen.
Application Number | 20150352750 14/164614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44010241 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150352750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adolphsen; Alan |
December 10, 2015 |
Weapons System Construction and Modification
Abstract
This invention is directed to a rifle barrel and a method for
modifying a pre-existing rifle barrel comprising dissembling said
pre-existing rifle so that said barrel is removed from said
pre-existing rifle placing said barrel in a sleeve having an inner
diameter larger then said diameter of said barrel for receiving
said barrel thereby defining a void arranged between said barrel
and said sleeve when said barrel is placed in said sleeve reducing
the outer diameter of said barrel near the breach end of said
barrel so that said sleeve will cover said barrel up to the action
of said rifle when said barrel is placed in said sleeve filling
said void defined by said barrel and said sleeve with filler
material attaching a weld-on thread assemble to said sleeve at the
muzzle end of said barrel and assembling said pre-existing rifle
with said barrel placed in said sleeve.
Inventors: |
Adolphsen; Alan; (Hope,
ME) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Teludyne Tech Industries, Inc. |
Greer |
SC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Teludyne Tech Industries,
Inc.
Greer
SC
|
Family ID: |
44010241 |
Appl. No.: |
14/164614 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12774402 |
May 5, 2010 |
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14164614 |
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61287785 |
Dec 18, 2009 |
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61230450 |
Jul 31, 2009 |
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61176200 |
May 7, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
264/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/36 20130101;
F41A 21/02 20130101; B29C 39/10 20130101; B29K 2309/00 20130101;
B29L 2009/00 20130101; B29L 2031/777 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B29C 39/10 20060101
B29C039/10 |
Claims
1-36. (canceled)
37. A method for reducing barrel whip in a rifle, comprising:
encircling at least one weapon barrel with a sleeve, wherein the
sleeve possesses a muzzle opening and a breech opening, wherein the
barrel includes a bore with a caliber of 12 gauge or less and a
breech; defining a void between the at least one weapon barrel and
the sleeve; forming a seal at the breech opening between the at
least one weapon barrel and sleeve wherein the sleeve extends over
at least a portion of the breech; placing the at least one weapon
barrel and sleeve in a substantially vertical position; aligning
the at least one weapon barrel to be substantially centered within
the sleeve; at least partially filling the void with filler
material wherein the filler material comprises at least 50% by
weight of calcium sulfate; and, allowing the filler material to
cure.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein an outer diameter of the at
least one weapon barrel is reduced.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the outer diameter of the at
least one weapon barrel is reduced adjacent the breech end of the
at least one weapon barrel.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein the breech opening is located
substantially adjacent to a breech of the weapon.
41. The method of claim 37, including the step of dissembling a
rifle prior to encircling at least one weapon barrel with the
sleeve.
42. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one weapon barrel
is centered within the sleeve using a barrel centering member.
43. The method of claim 37, wherein the filler material comprises
at least 50% by weight calcium sulfate and less than 48% by weight
portland cement.
44. The method of claim 37, wherein the filler material includes
material taken from the group consisting of: amorphous silica,
alumina, limestone dust, clay, quartz, calcium hydroxide and
calcium sulfo aluminate.
45. (canceled)
46. The method of claim 37, wherein the filler material comprises
metal shavings.
47. The method of claim 37, wherein a muzzle brake is installed
once the void is at least partially filled with filler
material.
48. The method of claim 37, wherein a stock of the weapon is
modified to receive the weapon barrel once the sleeve is
affixed.
49. The method of claim 37, wherein at least one circumferential
groove is cut into the at least one weapon barrel.
50. The method of claim 37, wherein a section of the distal end of
the at least one weapon barrel is heated after partially filling
the void.
51-56. (canceled)
57. A method for increasing accuracy in a rifle, comprising:
encircling at least one weapon barrel with a sleeve, wherein the
sleeve possesses a muzzle opening and a breech opening, wherein the
barrel includes a bore with a caliber of 12 gauge or less and a
breech; defining a void between the at least one weapon barrel and
the sleeve; forming a seal at the breech opening between the at
least one weapon barrel and sleeve wherein the sleeve extends over
at least a portion of the breech; placing the at least one weapon
barrel and sleeve in a substantially vertical position; aligning
the at least one weapon barrel to be substantially centered within
the sleeve; at least partially filling the void with filler
material wherein the filler material comprises at least 50% by
weight of calcium sulfate; and, allowing the filler material to
cure.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority on U.S. provisional patent
applications: Ser. No: 61/176,200; Ser. No. 61/230,450 and Ser. No.
61/287,785.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a weapons system having a
rifle, shotgun or cannon barrel. This invention is directed to the
construction of a rifle, shotgun or cannon barrel and method of
modification providing a sandwich barrel design for reducing heat
and harmonics and for improving accuracy.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It has been long understood that a rifle's barrel changes
shape and moves in multiple directions every time the rifle is
fired. This effect is also found in shotgun and cannon barrels. In
some instances, this movement of the barrel has been coined "barrel
whip" and is when a weighted object (bullet) travels down the
tubular barrel under intense gas pressure generally defined as when
the barrel away from its "static" state. Barrel whip can occur when
the bullet accelerates into a rapid spin, when the stock drops
significantly so the muzzle rises when the rifle is fired, or when
a pressure wave travels the length of the barrel. In the case of
shotguns and unrifled cannon barrels, the "barrel whip" largely
results from the pressure wave traveling along the barrel.
[0004] Barrel whip reduces the accuracy of the projectile expelled
from the barrel and, therefore, the ability of a shooter to hit a
target. Historically, manufacturers of barrels have simply accepted
that the barrel's movement can't be eliminated. The remedy was to
manufacture the barrel so that at least the movement was consistent
with each shot. With a combination of cartridge loads and a
consistently moving barrel whip, a rifle can be made more accurate
by matching the load with the barrel. However, this requires that
cartridge loads be customized to match each individual barrel and
requires a high degree of customization.
[0005] Further, with each shot, the chamber can swell and produce
an annular wave that travels between the muzzle and the breech. As
the annular wave travels down the barrel, the bore diameter changes
slightly as a result of the wave. If the bullet exits the barrel
coincidentally with the wave at the muzzle, the bullet accuracy is
greatly reduced since the bore and the bullet will be ejected
through a bore that is made larger due to the wave. Traditional
attempts to avoid this problem have been to change the cartridge
load so that the bullet does not exit the barrel when the annular
wave is at the muzzle. Again, this involves a high degree of
customization and requires that cartridge loads match each
individual barrel.
[0006] Further, as rounds arc shot through a barrel, the barrel
heats and the metal expands, becomes more flexible, and, therefore,
the effect of barrel whip and any annular waves increases. Some
tests have found that the center of the bore can change as much as
0.001 inches between the barrel temperatures of 77.degree. F.
(ambient) and 122.degree. F. While the number of rounds that it
takes to heat a barrel from ambient to over 120.degree. F. varies
greatly with the type for round, the type of barrel and other
factors, such temperature changes can occur in as little as four or
five rounds. Therefore, for multiple shots, the heat generated by
the shots can adversely affect the accuracy of the barrel. This
effect is exemplified in FIG. 4.
[0007] It would be advantageous to have a weapons system that was
manufactured or modified to reduce the effects of barrel whip,
annular or pressure waves, and heat produced when firing.
Additionally, it would be advantageous to a weapons system that was
manufactured or modified so that it would not be necessary to match
cartridge loads with barrel characteristics so that barrel accuracy
was not necessarily cartridge specific.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is accomplished by providing a sleeve
for enclosing a weapons system barrel; a void defined between the
weapons system barrel and the sleeve; and filler material filling
the void. This invention also includes an outer sleeve positioned
around a plurality of barrels in a circular configuration thereby
encircling the barrels; an inner sleeve positioned in the space
defined by the barrels and internal to the circular configuration
thereby defining a void between the outer and inner sleeve; and
filler material placed within the void.
[0009] This invention also includes the method of removing external
fitting from an existing weapons system barrel; placing a sleeve
around the barrel thereby defining a void between the sleeve and
the weapons system barrel; and placing filler material within the
void. This invention also includes the method of providing a
weapons system barrel; placing a sleeve around the barrel thereby
defining a void between the sleeve and the weapons system barrel;
and placing filler material within the void. This invention also
includes providing a plurality of barrels arranged in a circular
configuration; placing an outer sleeve around the barrels
encircling the barrels; placing an inner sleeve in the space
defined by the barrels and internal to the circular configuration
thereby defining a void between the outer and inner sleeve; and
placing filler material within the void.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] This invention is more readily understood by referring the
following drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1A through 1C are schematics of a traditional
barrel;
[0012] FIG. 2A through 2E are schematics illustrating the need for
the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3A through 3B are schematics illustrating the need and
results of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating heat building in a
barrel;
[0015] FIG. 5A through 5D are schematics of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 6A through 6F are schematics of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the invention; and,
[0018] FIG. 8A through 8B are schematics of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1A through 1D, a barrel 10, which may be
part of a shotgun, rifle, or cannon weapons system, is used as an
example in describing this invention to one skilled in the art. It
should be understood that this invention can be used with and
applied to weapons systems using a barrel for expelling a
projective, and in particular for a shotgun, rifle, or cannon
barrel. For example, the Ruger 10/22 firing .22 caliber rounds to
12 gauge shotguns and to large caliber cannons such as the 120 mm
smooth bore cannon of the United State M1A1 Abrams.
[0020] Generally, such weapons systems include a barrel 10 having a
receiver 12 and muzzle 14. Open sights 16a and 16b can be included
optionally carried by barrel 10. Round 18a, which may be a shotgun
shell containing multiple shot or a single slug projectile
cartridge round, is received by barrel 10. Rounds can be either
inserted individually into the breech or through a magazine
configuration 20 for holding multiple rounds as is well known to
those skilled in the art. In the magazine configuration, the rounds
are biased in a direction such as shown by 22 so that when the
action of the rifle or shotgun is cycled, rounds are inserted into
the breech and can be filed. The barrel defines a bore 24. The bore
can be a smooth bore, such as in a shotgun or cannon, or contain
rifling as is common in most rifles and smaller single projectile
fire arms such as handguns.
[0021] Referring specifically to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment, the
outer diameter of a portion of the barrel near the breach end of
the barrel can be reduced through metalworking such as machining,
routing, etc. The outer diameter of the barrel can be reduced to
allow the sleeve to fit over this portion of the barrel. In one
embodiment, it may be necessary to press the sleeve onto the barrel
due to the fit between the barrel and the sleeve. In one
embodiment, the outer diameter portion of the barrel shown as 15
has its diameter reduced to that less than the portion of the
barrel shown as 13 so that the sleeve has a tighter fit at portion
13 than the rest of the barrel. In one embodiment, a shoulder stop
can be cut into the barrel to allow the sleeve to be placed over
the barrel where one end of the sleeve is proximate to the shoulder
stop so that the portion of the barrel behind the shoulder stop and
the outer diameter of the sleeve are generally flush.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2A through FIG. 2E, a cartridge (or
shotgun shell/round) 26 is shown having case 28 and bullet 30. In
the case of a shotgun, bullet 30 may be a single projectile (slug)
or a plurality of small projectiles commonly referred to as shot.
The construction of shotgun shells is well known to those skilled
in the art and thus not specifically illustrated. It should be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention is applicable to any and all weapons systems utilizing a
barrel to eject a projectile(s) regardless of the form of the round
or number of projectiles contained in a single cartridge. Case 28
can contain gunpowder or other explosive 6 that when ignited,
expands and pushes the bullet through the bore. In the case where
the bore contains rifling, the bullet is caused to rotate in a
direction illustrated as 32 which causes the bullet to spin within
and upon leaving the bore. When the bullet is pushed out the bore,
torque is applied to the barrel and the barrel can experience
barrel whip shown as 34. As previously explained, barrel whip
adversely impacts the accuracy of the barrel as the bullet can
leave the muzzle when the bore is "off target." It should be noted
that the barrel whip can be in a linear direction or circular so
that the barrel can whip in two or three dimensions.
[0023] Additionally, the expanding gas from the ignited explosive
in the case can create an annular wave 36 that initially travels in
a direction 38 down the barrel and will rebound in a direction
opposite 38 and "bounce" back and forth for some period of time
along the barrel. When the annular wave reaches the muzzle, the
muzzle of the barrel can "whip" so that the bore moves "off
target". This effect is particularly undesirable when bullet 30 and
annular wave 38 reach the muzzle approximately contemporaneously.
The barrel whip effect is equally undesirable in smooth bore barrel
weapons such as shotguns and cannons.
[0024] Given the multiple undesirable forces on the barrel, the
accuracy of any rifle, shotgun or cannon is significantly
compromised, particularly after multiple rounds are fired in
relatively quick succession. Referring to FIG. 3A and 3B, the
results of a rifle barrel that has not been modified or
manufactured with the present invention is illustrated as 40. The
following test results accompany the illustration shown as 40: 1942
Lee Enfield .303 cal bolt action resulted in a grouping of five
shots spanning 22 inches; 1944 Tula, Mosin Nagant 7.62.times.54 cal
Russian bolt action resulted in a grouping of five shots spanning
18 inches; and 1991 Remington Model 700 .7 mm cal magnum bolt
action resulted in a grouping of five shots spanning 6.5 inches. In
the case of a shotgun, the shot pattern also wanders unpredictably
as a result of the barrel whip effect.
[0025] Once the invention was applied to the above rifle barrels,
the results are illustrated as 42. The following test results
accompany the illustration shown as 40: 1942 Lee Enfield .303 cal
bolt action resulted in a grouping of five shots spanning 3.5
inches; 1944 Tula, Mosin Nagant 7.62.times.54 cal Russian bolt
action resulted in a grouping of five shots spanning 2.5 inches;
and 1991 Remington Model 700 .7 mm cal magnum bolt action resulted
in a grouping of five shots spanning 1 inch. Therefore, this
invention resulted in an accuracy improvement of approximately 84%,
86% and 85% respectively per each of the above rifles. Application
of the barrel treatment to shotguns (single or double barrel) shows
notable improvement in accuracy as well, either for shot or slug
projectile cartridges.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 5A through 5D, the invention's application
and construction will be described in more detail. A sleeve 44 is
placed over barrel 10 of a shotgun, rifle or cannon. Sleeve 44
defines a muzzle sleeve opening 46 and a breech sleeve opening 48.
In one embodiment, the breech opening is proximate to the receiver
or breech of the barrel so that the sleeve approximately seals
around the barrel shown as 48a. In another embodiment, the breech
sleeve opening is a predetermined distance 49 from the breech or
receiver such as five to twelve inches as shown in 48b. The muzzle
sleeve opening is fit to generally be flush with the muzzle of the
barrel. The sleeve and the outer boundary of the barrel define a
void 50. In one embodiment the sleeve is manufactured from
stainless steel. The sleeve can also be manufactured from other
metals, composite plastics, or a fibrous material sufficient to
maintain its structure while being exposed to the heat and
vibrations of a weapons system barrel. The sleeve can be generally
circular or polygonic in shape.
[0027] In one embodiment, the sleeve is generally twice the
diameter of the rifle, shotgun or cannon barrel. In one embodiment,
the barrel is machined to reduce the diameter of the barrel prior
to installing the sleeve. This allows for the use of a smaller
diameter sleeve and can assist with replacement of the modified
barrel back in the stock of the rifle or other component of the
weapons system. It should be noted that the sleeve need not be
circular in shape and can be any shape including hexagon, oval,
square and such.
[0028] In some configurations, it may be necessary to apply a
sealant such as epoxy or putty at the sleeve breech opening so as
to generate a seal between the sleeve and the barrel. Once the
sleeve is in place, the barrel and sleeve are placed in a vertical
position, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6A through 6F. A
barrel centering member 52 is used to center the barrel in the
sleeve. In one embodiment, the barrel centering member 52 contains
a distal member 54 that is received in bore 24. Spacing members 56a
through 56c carried by spacing member 52 positions the barrel
generally parallel to the center axis of the sleeve wherein the
center axis of the sleeve coincides with the center axis of the
barrel. It should be noted that placement of the barrel in the
sleeve need not be exact to achieve the benefits of this
invention.
[0029] In one embodiment, a realignment tool 84 is used to align
the barrel in the sleeve. In this embodiment, the muzzle end 86 is
placed in the bore of the barrel. The end cap or weld-on threads
are placed on the muzzle end generally at 88 so that when the
alignment tool in placed in the bore, the end cap or weld-on
threads can be aligned with the sleeve. A muzzle brake can be
placed generally at 90 over the alignment tool and attached to the
end cap so that weld-on threads, muzzle brake and alignment tool,
carried within the muzzle brake and weld-on tool, so that when the
alignment tool is inserted into the bore, the barrel can be aligned
within the sleeve and the sleeve can be aligned with the weld-on
tool and muzzle brake.
[0030] Once the sleeve is in place and the barrel is positioned
with the sleeve, filler material 58 is placed in void 50 defined by
the sleeve and the barrel. In the case of double barrel shotguns,
the sleeve is constructed and arranged to enclose both barrels and
the filler material 58 is then simultaneously placed in the void
surrounding both barrels in the same manner as described above for
a single barrel. In one embodiment, the filler material is a
hydraulic type cement that when mixed with water will harden
rapidly to produce a permanent bond. The filler material can be
applied in a semi-fluid state and poured between the sleeve and the
barrel.
[0031] In one embodiment the filler material is hydraulic cement
comprising at least 50% calcium sulfate and 48% or less portland
cement and may contain amorphous silica, alumina, limestone dust,
clay, quartz, calcium hydroxide and calcium sulfo aluminate. In one
embodiment the filler material is hydraulic cement comprising at
least 90% calcium sulfate and 10% or less portland cement. The
filler material can also be epoxy or resins that are able to
withstand the heat generated from the firing of a barrel of a
weapons system. In one embodiment, the filler material is mixed
with metal shavings to enhance the filler materials ability to
absorb and quickly dissipate heat from the barrel.
[0032] In one embodiment, a muzzle brake 60 can be installed after
the sleeve and filler material have been installed. In one
embodiment, a weld-on end cap 61 can be attached to the muzzle end
of the sleeve. This weld-on end cap can be simply and end cap
defining a center opening that is the same diameter of the bore of
the barrel. The opening of the end cap can also be slightly larger
than the barrel diameter. In one embodiment, the weld-on end cap
has a threaded portion 65 that can receive a corresponding threaded
portion (not shown) of a muzzle brake, or other attachment to
attach the muzzle brake of other attachment to the threaded end cap
allows for its attachment and removal without having to attach or
remove the end cap.
[0033] In another embodiment, this invention can be used in a
Gatling gun configuration. The Gatling gun configuration fires
during a rotating cycle that reaches speeds of up to 3000
revolutions per minute. This centrifugal force causes the barrels
to flex away from the axis of the circumference defined by the
plurality of barrels. This force causes an undesirable U-shape to
form along the length of the barrels creating a form of barrel
whip, perpendicular to their axis during firing, reducing accuracy.
Further, the rate of fire for the Gatlin gun configuration
generates a tremendous level of heat further exacerbating the
U-shape formation. One application of the Gatling gun confirmation
is the Avenger used by the A10 aircraft. In practice, the cannon of
the A10 is limited to one- and two-second bursts to avoid
overheating and to prevent barrel wear due to the U-shape
flexing.
[0034] In application for the Gatling gun configuration, an outer
sleeve 84 surrounds a plurality of barrels 10a through 10g. An
inner sleeve 86 is placed interior of a circumference defined by
barrels 10a through 10g thereby defining a void 88 between the
outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. Filler material can be placed in
void 88 as described herein.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 7, the method of practicing this invention
will be explained in more detail. External filling are removed from
the barrel at 62. The barrel can be de-greased and painted at 64.
The portion of the stock that received the barrel can be routed to
increase its size so that is can accommodate the increased diameter
of the rifle barrel placed in the sleeve at 66. If the barrel
diameter needs to be reduced at 68, the barrel is reduced at 70. In
one embodiment, the barrel exterior surface is roughed to promote a
more cohesive bond between the filer material and the barrel. Such
roughing can be accomplished through the use of abrasive mean such
as sandpaper. In one embodiment, the barrel diameter is only
reduced toward the action end to allow a tighter fit of the sleeve
at the action end than the muzzle end. In one embodiment,
circumferential grooves, such as 92a (FIG. 8B) are cut into the
barrel to provide larger void between the sleeve and the barrel for
receiving filler material. The barrel can be re-crowned at 71. The
barrel can also be painted at 71.
[0036] The sleeve is measured and cut to the appropriate length
based upon the barrel being modified. In one embodiment, the action
end of the sleeve is beveled and squared so that it fits square
against the action end of the barrel. A sleeve is placed over the
barrel at 72. In one embodiment, the sleeve is pressed against the
barrel using a press. If there is a gap between the sleeve breech
opening and the barrel as determined at 74, the gap should be
closed at 76. The action of the weapons system is locked and the
muzzle centering device is installed at 78. The bore of the barrel
is plugged and filler material is placed in the void defined by the
barrel and the sleeve at 80 and the filler material is allowed to
cure. In one embodiment, the twelve inches or so at the muzzle end
of the sleeve is heated prior the filler material curing. The
external fittings are replaced at 82 which can include tightening
the muzzle brake to insure proper clocking (alignment), welding on
the end cap, weld-on threads or muzzle brake. In one embodiment,
clamps are used to secure the end cap, weld-on threads, or muzzle
brake to the sleeve to assist with proper attachment when welding.
The sleeve and some of the exposed portion of the barrel can be
finished through painting, polishing, etc. The end cap, weld-on
threads or muzzle brake, if used, have the center opening drilled
to insure that there is no grazing when a bullet leaves the muzzle
of the rifle barrel. The sleeve can be marked for maximum caliber
and the muzzle brake can be marked for the specific chambering of
the rifle.
[0037] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *