U.S. patent application number 14/672997 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for weapon barrel having integrated suppressor.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric T. Tonkin. Invention is credited to Eric T. Tonkin.
Application Number | 20160003570 14/672997 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55016763 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160003570 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tonkin; Eric T. |
January 7, 2016 |
Weapon Barrel Having Integrated Suppressor
Abstract
A monolithic barrel for a weapon has an integral suppressor. The
barrel and integral suppressor can be machined from a single piece
of material, which can eliminate the need to attach separate
components to the barrel. The monolithic barrel has a barrel bore
for firing a projectile that produces discharge gas. To suppress
the discharge, the barrel defines one or more baffles separating
expansion chambers toward a distal end of the barrel. The barrel
further defines one or more channels along the length of the barrel
that provide extend flow paths for the discharge gas from the
barrel's bore. Greater reductions in sound can be achieved relative
to the overall barrel length due to the integral suppressor.
Inventors: |
Tonkin; Eric T.; (Richmond,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tonkin; Eric T. |
Richmond |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55016763 |
Appl. No.: |
14/672997 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62021548 |
Jul 7, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
89/14.4 ;
29/890.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/04 20130101;
F41A 21/02 20130101; F41A 21/28 20130101; F41A 21/30 20130101; F41A
21/482 20130101; F41A 21/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20060101
F41A021/30; F41A 3/66 20060101 F41A003/66; F41A 21/28 20060101
F41A021/28 |
Claims
1. A barrel for a weapon having a receiver and firing a projectile
that produces discharge gas, the barrel comprising: a barrel body
having an exterior and defining a bore therethrough from a proximal
end to a distal end, the proximal end connecting to the receiver,
the barrel body defining one or more channels, the one or more
channels being enclosed by the exterior and being integrated along
a first length of the barrel body, the bore defining one or more
ports communicating the bore with the one or more channels, the one
or more ports communicating the discharge gas between the bore and
the one or more channels.
2. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the exterior of the barrel body
comprises a tubular disposed external to the barrel body and
enclosing the one or more channels.
3. The barrel of claim 2, wherein at least one end of the tubular
affixes to the barrel body.
4. The barrel of claim 2, wherein the tubular seals at least
partially to the barrel body.
5. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the barrel body further defines
one or more baffles being integrated along a second length of the
barrel body and defining one or more chambers internally
communicating with a portion of the bore.
6. The barrel of claim 5, wherein the exterior of the barrel body
comprises a tubular disposed external to the barrel body and
enclosing the one or more chambers.
7. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the barrel
body comprises a breech adapted to connect to the receiver.
8. The barrel of claim 7, wherein the breech defines a chamber
communicating with a throat of the bore in the barrel body.
9. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the bore defines rifling from
toward the proximal end up to at least the one or more cross
ports.
10. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the barrel body defines a gas
port therein communicating at an inlet with a portion of the bore
and communicating at an outlet with a portion of the receiver.
11. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the barrel body defines a gas
port therein communicating at an inlet with a portion of the barrel
bore and communicating at an outlet with an external line disposed
along the barrel body to the receiver.
12. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the barrel body is composed of
first and second materials, the second material formed as an insert
disposed in the first material, the insert having at least a
portion of the bore.
13. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the barrel body is composed of a
monolithic piece of material defining at least the bore, the one or
more cross ports, and the one or more channels integrally
therein.
14. The barrel of claim 1, wherein the barrel body is composed of a
monolithic piece of first material having a tubular piece of second
material as the exterior disposed thereabout, the monolithic piece
defining at least the bore, the one or more cross ports, and the
one or more channels integrally therein, the tubular enclosing the
one or more channels.
15. A weapon for firing a projectile that produces discharge gas,
the weapon comprising: a receiver; and a barrel body having an
exterior and defining a bore therethrough from a proximal end to a
distal end, the proximal end connecting to the receiver, the barrel
body defining one or more channels, the one or more channels being
enclosed by the exterior and being integrated along a first length
of the barrel body, the bore defining one or more ports
communicating the bore with the one or more channels, the one or
more ports communicating the discharge gas between the bore and the
one or more channels.
16. The weapon of claim 15, wherein the receiver comprises a
receiver of a rifle.
17. A method of manufacturing a barrel for a weapon used for firing
a projectile that produces discharge gas, the method comprising:
integrating one or more channels along a first length of a barrel
body; communicating the one or more integrated channels with a bore
of the barrel body; and enclosing the one or more integrated
channels internally in communication with the bore.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein integrating the one or more
channels along the first length of the barrel body comprises
machining one or more flutes as the one or more channels along the
first length of the barrel body in an external surface thereof.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein communicating the one or more
integrated channels with the bore of the barrel body comprises
defining one or more ports in the barrel body communicating the one
or more flutes with the bore.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein enclosing the one or more
integrated channels internally in communication with the bore
comprises disposing a tubular at least partially about the external
surface of the barrel body.
21. The method of claim 17, further comprising integrating one or
more chambers separated by baffles in a second length of the barrel
body and in communication with the bore.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising enclosing the one or
more integrated chambers internally in communication with the
bore.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein enclosing the one or more
integrated chambers internally in communication with the bore
comprises disposing a tubular at least partially about the external
surface of the barrel body.
24. The method of claim 17, comprising initially taking a
monolithic piece of first material for the barrel body having the
bore, wherein integrating the one or more channels and
communicating the one or more integrated channels with the bore are
performed in the monolithic piece.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein enclosing the one or more
integrated channels internally in communication with the bore
comprises disposing a tubular piece of second material outside at
least a portion of the monolithic piece of the first material.
26. The method of claim 17, comprising initially taking a tubular
piece of first material for the barrel body having the bore and
disposing the tubular piece in a surrounding piece of second
material for the barrel body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl.
62/021,548, filed 7 Jul. 2014, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Suppressors for guns have existed in various incarnations
since at least the early twentieth century. Also known as
silencers, suppressors serve to reduce noise associated with the
firing of the gun. When used, the suppressor may also serve other
functions, such as reducing or eliminating muzzle flash (the
visible light of a muzzle blast caused by the combustion products
of the gunpowder mixing with the ambient air) and reducing or
eliminating blasts of high-pressure gasses escaping the muzzle,
which can reveal a shooter's position by kicking up dust and
foliage. While suppressor technology has applications in the realm
of civilian firearms, it is especially important in the conduct of
military operations. Indeed, combat is the arena in which
suppressor performance is the most critical and it is also the
environment that is the most taxing on equipment, including
suppressor equipment.
[0003] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a common suppressor
concept. The suppressor 20 connects to a barrel 10 of a gun (not
shown) by a connecting mechanism, such as a threaded section 12.
The suppressor 20 uses a series of baffles 24 contained within a
chamber 22 (often referred to as a "can") to slow the gasses that
are expelled from barrel 10 after the projectile has exited the
barrel 10. The slowing and dissipation of the pressure wave of
gasses results in a decrease of audible report of the gunfire.
[0004] Another type of suppressor used in the art is an over-barrel
suppressor, such as shown in FIG. 1B. The over-barrel suppressor 30
includes a jacket 32 that telescopes over the end of the barrel 10.
A bushing arrangement 34 at one end can attach the jacket 32 to the
barrel 10, and an intermediate mount 36 can support the jacket 32
at the distal end of the barrel 10. Extending beyond the muzzle of
the barrel 10, the jacket 32 contains a reflector 37 and various
baffles 38. The jacket 32 contains an expansion chamber 35 for gas
that communicates with the muzzle extension portion having the
reflector 37 and baffles 38.
[0005] While popular media, such as television and movies, would
lead one to believe that gunfire from a silencer or suppressor like
the ones illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B is almost inaudible, reality is
quite different. For example, a Remington XM2010 sniper rifle
shooting .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition, as presently deployed
by the United States Army in Afghanistan, has an unsuppressed
audible report of about 168-DB. The presently deployed suppressor
reduces the report to about 136-DB, significantly quieter, but
still louder than a jackhammer or a jet aircraft.
[0006] Attachable/detachable suppressors, such as disclosed above,
suffer from several drawbacks. One drawback is that the harmonics
of the gun barrel changes when a suppressor is attached to the
barrel or when one suppressor is replaced with another. When a gun
is fired, the gun barrel vibrates. The vibration is a function of
several characteristics of the barrel, including its length,
tensile properties, and weight distribution. Additionally, when a
gun is calibrated (i.e., sighted in), the barrel harmonics are
implicit within that calibration. Adding a suppressor changes the
weight distribution of the barrel, thereby changing the harmonics
with which the barrel vibrates upon firing. That change will result
in a change in the point of impact (POI) of the projectile on a
target, compared to the POI of the unsuppressed gun. Thus, the gun
must be re-sighted when a suppressor is added. Even if one
suppressor is substituted for another similar suppressor, the
barrel harmonics will be slightly different, requiring a
re-sighting.
[0007] Another drawback of an attachable/detachable suppressor is
that the point of attachment constitutes a structural weakness.
Particularly in the rigors of combat, a gun barrel may be subjected
to impacts, vibrations, torsions, and the like. Such stresses can
compromise the attachment of the suppressor to the barrel, leading
either to failure or to a decrease in accuracy.
[0008] The slight irreproducibility of suppressor attachment also
negatively impacts accuracy because the trajectory of a projectile
through the suppressor may become off center with respect to the
baffles. As the projectile, travelling at high velocity, passes
structures within the suppressor, pressure differentials are
created between the structures and the projectile. If the
projectile's path is not absolutely circumferential, the pressure
differentials will not be completely symmetrical and will tend to
pull the projectile in one direction. Small deviations in
trajectory as the projectile leaves the suppressor translate to
unacceptably large deviations downrange.
[0009] The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to
overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the
problems set forth above.
SUMMARY
[0010] A monolithic barrel for a weapon has an integral suppressor.
The barrel and integral suppressor can be machined from a single
piece of material, which can eliminate the need to attach separate
components to the barrel. By eliminating the need to attach such
separate components, the disclosed barrel eliminates the problems
discussed above, which primarily derive from the attachment
mechanism.
[0011] The monolithic barrel has a barrel bore for firing a
projectile that produces discharge gas. To suppress the discharge,
the barrel defines one or more baffles separating expansion
chambers toward a distal end of the barrel. The barrel further
defines one or more channels along the length of the barrel that
provide extended flow paths for the discharge gas from the barrel's
bore. Greater reductions in sound can be achieved relative to the
overall barrel length due to the integral suppressor.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent to a person of
skill in the art in view of the following description and attached
drawings. The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each
potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate prior art suppressor systems.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a monolithic suppressor
barrel according to the present disclosure in a partially
disassembled state.
[0015] FIG. 3A illustrates the disclosed suppressor barrel disposed
on a weapon.
[0016] FIG. 3B illustrates details of the disclosed suppressor
barrel disposed on the weapon.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an end-sectional view of the disclosed
suppressor barrel.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates gas flow during operation of the
disclosed suppressor barrel.
[0019] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a side view and an end-sectional view
of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed suppressor
barrel.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates an end-sectional view of yet another
embodiment of the disclosed suppressor barrel.
[0021] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate cross-sectional and end-sectional
views of an embodiment of a monolithic suppressor barrel configured
for a firearm having a gas-operated loading action.
[0022] FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of a monolithic suppressor barrel configured for a
firearm having a gas-operated loading action.
[0023] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate alternative configurations for the
disclosed suppressor barrel of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration of the disclosed
suppressor barrel arranged for use with one particular type of
riffle.
DESCRIPTION
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a monolithic suppressor
barrel 100 in a partially disassembled state. In this embodiment,
the barrel 100 includes a sleeve or tubular cover 110 that
positions over a barrel piece or body 120. The tubular cover 110
has proximal and distal ends 112 and 114 with a central passage 115
extending therethrough. The cover 110 is configured to fit around
the barrel body 120 and may be attached via mating threaded
sections 116 and 126 on the cover 110 and barrel body 120,
respectively.
[0026] When disposed on the barrel body 120, for example, the
proximal end 112 attaches or connects near a proximal end 122 of
the barrel body 120, while the distal end 114 positions up toward a
distal end 124 of the barrel body 120. To hold the cover 110 in
place, internal threads of the central passage 115 toward the
cover's proximal end 112 can thread to external threads 126 on the
barrel body 120, although other features can be used to affix the
cover 110. Additionally, the barrel body 120 may include one or
more grooves 128 for O-rings, which may serve to form a seal
between the barrel body 120 and the cover 110 and to keep those
pieces concentric to each other. Additionally, the O-rings may
minimize or dampen the contact between the cover 110 and the barrel
body 120, which could improve barrel harmonics.
[0027] For its part, the barrel body 120 is composed of a
monolithic piece of material, such as steel, machined with a number
of features disclosed herein. In general, the barrel body 120 has a
breech section 121a toward the proximal end 122, an intermediate
barrel section 121b, and a suppressor section 121c toward the
distal end 124. The breech section 121a can have grooves 128 for
O-rings or other seals to engage between the exterior of the barrel
body 120 and the interior passage 115 of the tubular cover 110. The
barrel section 121b has one or more channels 140 (e.g., slots,
pockets, flutes, etc.) communicating with cross ports 142, and the
suppressor section 121c has one or more baffles 150. With the
tubular cover 110 disposed over the extent of the barrel body 120,
the monolithic suppressor barrel 100 can mount to a weapon (not
shown), such as a firearm, gun, rifle, artillery, or the like, and
the barrel 100 can act to suppress the discharge from firing the
weapon.
[0028] Looking at the monolithic suppressor barrel 100 in more
detail, FIG. 3A schematically illustrates the disclosed barrel 100
assembled on a weapon 30 (e.g., a rifle), and FIG. 3B illustrates
detailed cross-sections of various portions of the disclosed barrel
100 integrated with components of the rifle 30. As shown in FIGS.
3A-3B, the breech section 121a is adapted to integrate with a
receiver 50 of the rifle 30 and contains a chamber 138 for a round
of ammunition. Depending on the type of weapon, the breech section
102a may integrate with the gun's receiver 50 using threads 123, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, or by any other attachment system known
in the art.
[0029] The barrel section 121b defines the one or more channels 140
formed along a length of the barrel body 120. The channels 140
terminate at cross ports 142 at a distance from the breech 121a.
The cross ports 142 form a muzzle brake, creating a path through
which expanding gasses escape from the barrel's bore 130 during
firing.
[0030] As disclosed herein, various forms and shapes can be used
for the channels 140. In the current embodiment, the channels 140
are external flutes 140 formed axially along the exterior surface
of the barrel body 120. The one or more flutes 140 are defined
along the axis of the barrel body 120 for preferably a near full
extent of the barrel section 121b to create an extended expansion
volume. Increasing the expansion volume from the flutes 140 can be
achieved by increasing the number of the flutes 140, the width or
depth of the flutes 140, etc. Moreover, the flutes 140 can be
increased in length by being defined in a spiral or winding pattern
down the length of the barrel body 120.
[0031] Finally, the suppressor section 121c has the one or more
baffles 150, separating a number of expansion chambers 152 from one
another. Extending over the extent of the barrel body 120, the
cover 110 affixed to the threads 126 near the breech section 121a
covers and encloses the flutes 140, the cross ports 142, and the
expansion chambers 152 of the baffles 150. An end cap 118, threads,
or other feature may be provided at the barrel's distal end to
further affix the cover 110 on the barrel body 120.
[0032] Preferably, the cross ports 142 and the flutes 140 are
symmetrically disposed around the circumference of barrel section
121b. In general, the number of cross ports 142 and flutes 140 can
depend on the circumference of the barrel body 120; a larger barrel
body 120 can accommodate more sets of cross ports 142 and flutes
140. For example, the barrel body 120 for a smaller firearm may
have four sets of cross ports 142 and flutes 140 (i.e., two pairs
disposed opposite each other). The barrel body 120 for a larger
firearm (e.g., .50 caliber and above) and artillery may accommodate
a greater number of cross ports 142 and flutes 140.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3B, the breech section 121a affixes to the
receiver 50 of the rifle 30 and can connect by a threaded
connection 123. Other forms of connection may be used for different
types of weapons. In any event, the breech section 121a positions
up to the bolt face 52 of the rifle 30. A shoulder 125 on the
breech section 121a can assist in positioning.
[0034] The barrel bore 130 is defined along the extent of the
barrel body 120. Towards the breach section 121a, the barrel bore
130 defines the chamber 138 for the ammunition. A first shoulder
137 narrows the chamber 138 to a neck 136, which narrows by a
second shoulder to a free bore area 134 ahead of the throat to a
barrel portion 131b of the barrel bore 130. Other weapons may have
different chambers 138 and other features. Rifling 132 in the form
of lands and grooves are defined inside the barrel portion 131b.
This rifling 132 continues along the barrel portion 131b up to at
least the cross ports 142 communicating the barrel bore 130 with
the enclosed flutes 140.
[0035] Continuing further along the barrel 120, the suppressor
section 121c contains baffles 150 and has a suppressor portion 131c
of the barrel bore 130 eventually exiting from the muzzle of the
barrel 120. The baffles 150 separate chambers 152, openings, holes,
angled walls, etc. machined into the monolithic piece of the barrel
body 120. The baffles 150 can have any number of possible shapes
and arrangements and are only representatively illustrated
here.
[0036] As with the flutes 140, the number of baffles 150 may depend
on the circumference of the suppressor section 121c and/or the
length of the barrel body 120. The baffles 150 are generally
disposed symmetrically about the circumference. The operation of
cross ports 142, the flutes 140, and baffles 150 will be explained
in more detail below.
[0037] The diameter of cross ports 142 is typically significantly
larger than the diameter of the bore 130 through the interior of
suppressor section 121c. For example, the portion 131b of the bore
130 through the barrel section 121b of a .308-caliber rifle may
essentially be 0.308-inches in diameter. The bore portion 131c
through the suppressor section 121c may be slightly larger than the
barrel's bore portion 131b so that the projectile does not
inadvertently crash into the walls of the suppressor section 121c.
According to certain embodiments, about 25 to 30 thousandths of an
inch gap exists between the circumferential edges of the projectile
and the wall of the bore portion 131c in the suppressor section
121c. Thus, the bore portion 131c through the suppressor section
121c configured for a .308 caliber rifle may have a diameter of
about 0.358-inches.
[0038] In comparison, the cross ports 142 in the same barrel 100
may have a diameter about 40 to about 60 percent larger than the
suppressor's bore portion 131c. In the case of a .308-caliber
round, the cross ports 142 may have a diameter of about 0.400 to
about 0.500-inches, for example. Thus, substantially more gas can
escape through the plurality of cross ports 142 than enters the
bore portion 131c through the suppressor section 121c.
[0039] FIG. 4 is an end-sectional view the barrel section 121b
showing one possible arrangement of flutes 140 disposed around the
exterior of the barrel body 120. Here, the body 120 has four flutes
140 formed in the monolithic piece of the body 120 around barrel
bore 130. These four flutes 140 make four ribs 145 adjacent which
the inside of the tubular cover 110 positions. To further divide
the enclosed volumes of the flutes 140, sealing elements can be
disposed along the length of the ribs 145 to engage inside the
cover 110.
[0040] As explained in more detail below, the flutes 140 are made
by machining voids into barrel section 121b. That machining leaves
the ribs 145, which lend strength and stability to barrel body 120
and reduce unwanted harmonics. The fluting not only decreases the
weight of the barrel 120, but also increases the surface area,
which can have additional benefits.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates the flow of discharge gas during
operation of the disclosed barrel 100. For clarity, some of the
items already labeled and described with reference to other Figures
are not specifically relabeled here, and components to produce the
discharge are not depicted. Upon firing, the projectile (e.g., the
bullet) travels through barrel bore 130, passes from the barrel
section 121b into the suppressor section 121c, and ultimately
leaves the barrel 120 at the muzzle 121d. Behind the projectile is
a high-pressure wave of rapidly expanding and extremely hot
discharge gas. In an unsuppressed rifle, the exit of that gas from
a muzzle causes the report of the rifle.
[0042] In the suppressor barrel 100 disclosed herein, however, the
discharge gas (represented by the lines having arrows indicating
direction of flow) is directed through the cross ports 142 as it
exits the barrel bore 130 of the barrel section 121b. The flutes
140 then act as expansion chambers, creating space for the
expanding gas. The gas cools and slows as it expands. Sound and
muzzle flash are thereby reduced. The expansion volume defined
between the cover 110 and the barrel section 121b may be greater
than the expansion volume between the suppressor section 121c and
the cover 110. Thus, the gas expands preferentially toward the
breech section 121a until it reaches near the end of the flutes
140, the O-rings, or other seals that are disposed at the proximal
end of the system 100.
[0043] Having expanded into and pressurized the volume between the
barrel section 121b and the cover 110, the gas continues to expand
into the bore portion 131c of the suppressor section 121c. As the
gas passes through the suppressor's bore portion 131c, the baffles
150 further slow the expansion, creating eddies and vortices in the
chambers 152 and diverting the gas off its centerline of expansion.
The gas then exits the end of suppressor section 121c out the
muzzle 121d at greatly reduced pressure.
[0044] The number, length, volume, size, and other features of the
flutes 140, cross ports 142, and baffles 150 can be configured and
machined on the disclosed suppressor barrel 100 to achieve an
amount of desired suppression, accommodate different ammunitions,
adapt to different weapons, dissipate heat, deal with vibrations,
etc. For example, the barrel 120 depicted in the side view of FIG.
6A and the end-section view of FIG. 6B has six cross ports 142,
flutes 140, and ribs 145. As mentioned above, the diameter of the
barrel section 121b and the round generally limit the number of
cross ports 142 and flutes 140 that the barrel body 120 can
accommodate. Yet, more or less flutes 140, cross ports 142, and the
like can be configured, arranged, and sized as needed depending on
the implementation.
[0045] As will be appreciated, the baffles 150 may typically
require a tube or can, such as provided by the external cover 110
disclosed herein, to enclose the chambers 152. All the same, it may
be possible to machine the channels 140 as longitudinal slots or
holes fully enclosed in the interior of the barrel body 120
parallel to the barrel bore 130, rather than as external flutes
requiring separate enclosure from a cover. For example, FIG. 7
shows an end section of the barrel body 120 with such parallel
channels 140, slots, or pockets enclosed in the interior of the
barrel body 120. In this case, use of the external cover 110 to
enclose the channels 140 may not be necessary. Cross ports 142 can
be defined through the barrel body 120 to the barrel bore 130 to
communicate with the channels 140, and the external ends of the
cross ports 142 can be capped or plugged with an element or
material 144. As will be appreciated, machining elongated channels
140 offset from barrel bore 130 presents much more complexity than
defining open channels 140 as in the form of the flutes in previous
embodiments on the barrel body's external surface and enclosing
those flutes 140 with the cover 110. For this reason, use of the
cover 110 on the barrel 100 may be preferred to enclose externally
formed flutes for the channels 140.
[0046] Some weapons require manual loading of bullets into the
chamber of the barrel. Other weapons have loading mechanisms that
are gas-operated and use gases from the barrel to charge the
mechanisms. The disclosed suppressor barrel 100 can be configured
to operate with these types of gas-operated loading mechanisms.
[0047] For example, FIG. 8A illustrates an alternative embodiment
of a monolithic suppressor barrel 100, which includes a gas port
160 to allow operation of a rifle employing a gas-operated loading
mechanism. Examples of such rifles include various
automatic/semiautomatic small arms, such as the M-16/AR-15 series
of rifles. As shown in the cross-section of FIG. 8A and the
end-section of FIG. 8B, the bore 130 is configured with a tap 162
to communicate or vent some of the expanding gas from the bore 130
toward the exterior of the barrel 120. A longitudinal port 166
defined along the length of the barrel 120 in a rib 145 directs the
vented gas toward the loading mechanism (i.e., the action) of the
receiver 50 to cycle the (semi)-automatic capabilities. Due to
machining requirements, a plug 164 or seal may be needed at the
connection of the tap 162 and port 166.
[0048] Rather than having an internal port for vented gas, the
barrel 120 can include external components. For example, FIG. 8C
shows the barrel body 120 in cross-section having a vent tap 162
communicating from the barrel bore 130. The tap 162 connects with
an external line 170, which feeds the gas to the action of the
receiver 50. Any suitable form of line 170 conventionally used for
cycling the gas can be used.
[0049] In the embodiments of the disclosed suppressor barrel 100,
the barrel body 120 is composed of a monolithic piece of material
having a tubular cover 110 disposed about the exterior. The
monolithic piece of the body 120 defines at least the barrel bore
130, the one or more cross ports 142, and the one or more channels
or flutes 140 integrally therein. The monolithic piece of the body
120 also defines the one or more baffles 150 integrally formed
therein. The tubular cover 110 encloses the one or more channels or
flutes 140 and the one or more chambers 152 of the baffles 150.
This arrangement is well suited for manufacture and assembly.
[0050] For instance, use of the external cover 110 facilitates
assembly of the disclosed barrel 100. In essence, the barrel body
120 can be a pre-machined barrel blank suitable for the firearm on
which it is to be used. As such, the various features of the
chamber 138, shoulders 137, bore 130, rifling 132, etc. can be
pre-machined on the blank according to the weapon manufacturer's
requirements. In this way, an advantage of the monolithic barrel
100 having an integral suppressor as disclosed herein is that the
entire barrel and suppressor monolith can be machined from a single
barrel blank.
[0051] To configure the pre-machined blank for use as the disclosed
barrel 100, the barrel bore 131c of the bore is reamed to increase
its diameter. The flutes 140, the cross ports 142, and the chambers
152 separated by the baffles 150 are machined integrally into the
blank to form the features of the breech section 121a, the barrel
section 121b, and the suppressor section 121c. Threads 126 can be
machined on the exterior along with seal grooves 128 and other
features. The tubular cover 100 is then used to enclose the baffle
chambers 152 and the flutes 140. As the entire assembly is a single
piece of material, it overcomes the drawbacks associated with
mechanically joining a suppressor to a barrel, as described
above.
[0052] Other arrangements can be used for the disclosed suppressor
barrel 100. For example, FIG. 9A illustrates the barrel body 120
having the channels or flutes 140 as before. As noted above, the
cross ports 142 for communicating discharge gas to the flutes 140
can be defined toward the distal end of the barrel section 121b.
This allows a significant length of the barrel bore 130 to include
continuous rifling. The cross ports 142 can be placed elsewhere,
and each of the flutes 140 can have more than one cross port 142.
For example, FIG. 9A depicts one possible location for a cross port
144 that can be used in conjunction with (or instead of) the distal
cross port 142. Any of the other flutes 140 can have similar cross
ports 144 in this or other locations.
[0053] In previous embodiments, the barrel body 120 is composed of
a monolithic piece of material, which is typically steel. This is
not strictly necessary. Instead, as shown in FIG. 9B, the majority
of the barrel's body 120 can be composed of a first material 104,
which can be a material other than steel. Some examples for the
first material 104 can include plastic, composite, metal other than
steel (e.g., aluminum), a different type of steel, or other types
of materials. Disposed internal to this first material 104, the
barrel body 120 includes a bore insert 105 that forms the barrel
bore 130 for the barrel body 120. This bore insert 105 can be made
of the requisite material (i.e., steel) with proper rifling,
chamber, and other features.
[0054] Although more than one baffle 150 may be preferred, the
number of baffles 150 used can vary. As a brief example, FIG. 9C
illustrates one chamber 152 from baffle(s) 150 formed on the barrel
body 120 at the end of the barrel section 121b. Although the
benefits from baffling may be diminished with this arrangement, the
barrel 100 can still operate according to its intended purpose.
[0055] With that said, it is possible for the disclosed barrel 100
to lack baffling altogether toward the muzzle. Instead, the distal
end of the barrel section 121b can terminate with the flutes 140
(and with the cross ports 142 if so placed). In this context, the
disclosed barrel 120 can still operate according to its intended
purpose because the flutes 140 and cross-ports 142 achieve some of
the suppression.
[0056] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9D, the baffles 150 can be
included in a separate suppressor section 106 that connects to the
distal end of the barrel section 121b of the barrel body 120. Any
conventional type of connection 108 (i.e., threaded, telescopic,
etc.) can be used between the barrel section 121b and the separate
suppressor section 106. In this context, the suppressor section 106
can be of conventional design having a can or cover with a chamber
containing internal baffles. In this case, the breech section 121a
and the barrel section 121b can be integrally formed of a first
material (e.g., steel), while the baffle section 121c can be
composed of a second, different material (e.g., aluminum).
[0057] Previous embodiments, such as in FIGS. 3A-3B, have shown one
way to affix the barrel 100 to the receiver 50. As already noted,
barrels can affix to receivers in a number of ways, and the
features of the disclosed barrel 100 can be adapted to the
different forms of affixing. As one additional example, FIG. 10
illustrates a configuration of the disclosed suppressor barrel 100
arranged for use with one particular type of riffle, such as an
M16/AR-15 type of firearm.
[0058] In FIG. 10, the upper receiver 200 of the riffle is shown,
and various other components, such as the lower receiver and the
like, are omitted. The upper receiver 200 holds a charging handle
204 and a carrier 206 therein. The barrel body 120 of the present
disclosure can have many of the features disclosed herein, such as
the channel or flutes 140, cross ports 142, baffles 150, etc. The
barrel body 120 may also have seal slots 128.
[0059] In addition to these and other previously described
features, the proximal end of the barrel body 120 includes a narrow
relief or end 127b and a threaded tip 127b on which a barrel nut
210 and a barrel extension 220 are used to assemble the barrel body
120 to the receiver 200. In particular, the barrel nut 210 fits
onto the narrow end 127a of the barrel body 120. This is done
because the inner-shouldered opening 217 of the barrel nut 210 is
too small to fit down along the length of the barrel body 120 as
conventionally done. With the barrel nut 210 first fit onto the
narrow end 127a, the barrel extension 220 then attaches onto the
narrow end 127a. As can be seen, the barrel extension 220 has
internal threads 227 to mate with the threaded tip 127b of the
barrel's end 127a.
[0060] With the barrel extension 220 installed, the barrel nut 210
is now trapped on the end 127a by the extension's shoulder 222. At
this point, the barrel extension 220 fits into the front opening
202 of the upper receiver 200 so that the extension's face 228
mates with the bolt end 208 of the carrier 206 inside the receiver
200. Internal threads 212 in the barrel nut 210 then threads to the
receiver 200 at the opening 202, and the internal shoulder 217 of
the nut 210 engages against the extension's shoulder 222 to hold
the barrel body 120 in place.
[0061] Finally, the barrel cover 110 can slide down along the
length of the barrel body 120, and a threaded lip 111 on its end
can thread to internal threads 211 inside the barrel nut 210.
Various other elements (not shown) can also be assembled to support
other components, such as a hand guard, heat shields, liners, caps,
a gas tube, etc.
[0062] The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments
is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of
the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be
appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that
features described above in accordance with any embodiment or
aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either
alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any
other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter.
[0063] In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained
herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the
appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims
include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that
they come within the scope of the following claims or the
equivalents thereof.
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