U.S. patent application number 15/060531 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-13 for silencer with expansion chambers and manufacturing method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is VICTOR MILES AS. Invention is credited to Hannes ABERL, Theodore AUGUSTINE, Rudiger LIESKE, Anne MURMANN, Alexander STUMPP.
Application Number | 20170102202 15/060531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55456548 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170102202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AUGUSTINE; Theodore ; et
al. |
April 13, 2017 |
SILENCER WITH EXPANSION CHAMBERS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
THEREOF
Abstract
Firearm silencers and processes for the production thereof in a
layered structure as one single-piece body having at least one
expansion chamber.
Inventors: |
AUGUSTINE; Theodore;
(Hamburg, DE) ; LIESKE; Rudiger; (Sindelsdorf,
DE) ; MURMANN; Anne; (Mittenwald, DE) ;
STUMPP; Alexander; (Freudenstadt, DE) ; ABERL;
Hannes; (Krun, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VICTOR MILES AS |
Jevnaker |
|
NO |
|
|
Family ID: |
55456548 |
Appl. No.: |
15/060531 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20060101
F41A021/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 2015 |
DE |
10 2015 002 710.7 |
Claims
1. A firearm silencer comprising a main body, which is formed and a
single-piece body extending along and around a central longitudinal
axis, and defines at least one expansion chamber formed coaxially
in relation to the central longitudinal axis.
2. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the
silencer is formed in layers in the direction of the central
longitudinal axis.
3. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the silencer is
producible by one of the following production processes: 3D
printing process; a stereo-lithography method; a selective laser
sintering process; a casting process; and a forming process.
4. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the
silencer is defined by at least one of the following features: an
outer wall which limits, toward the outside, the at least one
expansion chamber; a muzzle opening; and a firing channel that
extends through the main body in the direction of the central
longitudinal axis.
5. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the main body of said
silencer is defined by at least one of the following features:
walls extending coaxially in relation to the central longitudinal
axis, which walls limit at least the one expansion chamber; bars at
least partly extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal
axis; supporting structures at least partly extending in coplanar
manner in relation to the central longitudinal axis; and a thread
for direct or indirect connection with at least one of a barrel of
a firearm and an interface for attachment to a barrel of a
firearm.
6. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
expansion chambers is curved.
7. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein the curvature includes
components in at least one of the following directions: curvature
component in azimuthal direction; curvature component in radial
direction; and curvature component in axial direction.
8. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
expansion chambers is tapered or widened in its cross section.
9. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
expansion chambers opens into a sound absorption area.
10. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
expansion chambers opens to an outer wall of the main body.
11. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
expansion chambers opens into the firing channel or the central
longitudinal axis.
12. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein the main body defines
at least two expansion chambers, which merge along their
extension.
13. A silencer according claim 1, wherein at least one of the
expansion chambers branches out along its extension.
14. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein the main body defines
at least two expansion chambers which are arranged as coaxial
helices along the central longitudinal axis.
15. A silencer according to claim 1, wherein the main body defines
at least two expansion chambers, surrounding one another in
concentric manner.
16. A method of producing a firearm silencer, wherein material for
a single-piece main body of the firearm silencer is formed along a
central longitudinal axis, in such a manner that at least one
expansion chamber is coaxially formed with regard to the central
longitudinal axis.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the formation of the
material is carried out layer-wise towards the central longitudinal
axis.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the formation of each layer is
carried out perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis
two-dimensional grid pattern.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the formation of material is
carried out according to one of the following manufacturing
processes: a 3D printing process; the stereo-lithography method; a
selective laser sintering process; a casting process; and a forming
process.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the producing is carried out by
means of a process employs the use of a single raw material.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The invention at hand relates to the field of silencers for
firearms.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Silencers for firearms serve the purpose of reducing the
noise emissions resulting from the expansion of gases escaping from
the barrel's muzzle, the so-called muzzle blast. Silencers are
usually attached by being screwed on by a thread of the barrel or
tube of the gun. Alternatively, they are connected factory-set with
the weapon.
[0003] The noise reduction is desirable in some areas of use:
examples of usage purposes of silencers include hunting in
populated areas or avoiding alarming the wild animals. In addition,
they preserve the hearing health of police and military forces.
[0004] Conventional silencers share some common characteristics.
For one, they consist of several individual pieces, which are held
together by a sleeve or a piece of pipe. These items are typically
made of different materials. In addition, traditional silencers are
turned and milled by means of conventional manufacturing
processes.
[0005] A traditional silencer is, for example, known from the
German patent DE 17 03 420 B2. A multi-part silencer, which has
several expansion chambers divided by inserts, is disclosed there.
In particular, several inserts which support each other are
surrounded and held together by a piece of pipe.
[0006] The above features of conventional silencers have some
disadvantages. The construction with several individual items and
partially different materials, drives up both the production costs
and the weight. A construction involving several individual parts
is also susceptible to developing interference vibrations and
assembly failures. Production by means of turning and milling
limits the geometry of the silencer, in particular the geometry of
the sound-absorbing elements.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention at hand is based on the object of, at least
partially, reducing the above-mentioned disadvantages of
conventional silencers.
[0008] The above problem is solved by a device and a production
method in accordance with independent patent claims. The dependent
claims describe preferred versions. The invention consists of a
firearm silencer, in short: silencer.
[0009] The device according to the invention includes a main body.
This main body is formed as a single-piece body extending along and
around a central longitudinal axis, and defines at least one
expansion chamber, which is formed coaxially with the central
longitudinal axis.
[0010] A production method for the layered, i.e. layer-wise
structure is to achieve the object of the invention to provide a
compact, light, material and/or cost saving construction and/or the
development of new geometries and designs according to the
invention.
[0011] The central longitudinal axis preferably matches a path of a
projectile shot from an attached gun.
[0012] The main body, which can be produced as one single piece, is
a single piece in that it is preferably made of a homogeneous
material and/or requires no assembly steps involving several
components, as is the case with conventional silencers.
[0013] The expansion chambers are hollow spaces formed in the main
body which allow room for the expansion of gases. These gases
escape from a muzzle of a firearm. Without a silencer mounted on
the muzzle, the uncontrolled expansion of these gases leads to the
muzzle blast. The silencers according to the invention include at
least one expansion chamber which is formed to be coaxial to the
central longitudinal axis. Expansion chambers can be designed as
sound guide chambers. The term expansion chamber should not be
understood as a description of a particular geometry. In general,
co-axial bodies, chambers, etc. do not necessarily have to be
rotationally symmetrical around the corresponding axis, in the
sense of the present invention. Expansion chambers aligned
coaxially to the central longitudinal axis result in an at least
partly structural alignment.
[0014] Preferably, the main body defines at least two expansion
chambers which are formed coaxially in relation to the central
longitudinal axis.
[0015] The main body is preferably also made of layers in direction
of the central longitudinal axis.
[0016] The main body can preferably be produced using one of the
following production method of producing in the direction of a
central longitudinal axis: a 3D printing method, a
stereo-lithography method, a selective laser sintering method, a
casting, or a forming method. A selective laser sintering method is
particularly preferred during which materials, for example a metal,
is selectively sintered by a laser, i.e. bound together and
compacted. This procedure is preferably carried out in layers.
After sintering the material of one layer, the unsintered raw
material of each following layer is applied and then laser-sintered
in turn. Due to symmetry and structural considerations, it is
especially advantageous to form the silencer layer by layer along
the direction of a central longitudinal axis, which corresponds to
the firing channel.
[0017] The main body preferably defines at least one of the
following elements: an outer wall, which limits at least one
expansion chamber on the outside; walls aligned coaxially along the
central longitude which limit at least one expansion chamber; bars,
at least some of which are extending perpendicular to the central
longitudinal axis; supporting structures at least some of which
extend coplanar to the central longitudinal axis; a thread for
connection to the barrel or an interface for connection to the
barrel of the firearm; a muzzle opening; a firing channel extending
along the central longitudinal axis through the main body.
[0018] An exterior wall can serve for an external presentation of
the suppressor marked with a trade mark or company logo. In
addition, it can provide easier handling for the user. The user
grasps the external wall to attach the silencer onto a firearm.
[0019] Walls, bars and support structures respectively can each
serve to provide stable statics and/or to direct the flow of the
expanding gases.
[0020] A thread can provide the simple, rapid, gas leak-proof
and/or secure connection with a firearm. This connection can be
made either directly or indirectly. This connection can be made
directly with the barrel of the firearm. Alternatively, or in
addition, this connection can be achieved indirectly using a
suitable adapter or a different interface to connect the silencer
with the barrel of a firearm, such as, for example, a quick-clamp.
A muzzle opening serves for the projectiles to leave the silencer.
A firing channel provides an unobstructed path for the projectiles
and a primary direction of flow of expanding gases.
[0021] It is preferable for at least one of the expansion chambers
to be curved. This allows, among others things, redirections and/or
trajectories of the expansion chambers with twists, curves, etc.
This has several advantages, according to the invention. For the
same length of the silencer, longer effective lengths of expansion
chambers become possible. Turbulence is reinforced by strong
curvature, which can result in a strong reduction of the muzzle
blast. Long expansion chambers also increase the limiting surface
of the expansion chamber, thereby also strengthening the absorption
effect.
[0022] With this invention, curvatures of the expansion chambers
can be designed in various forms as desired. These curvatures may
include components or portions in one or more of the following
directions: azimuth direction, radial direction, or axial
direction. The above-mentioned directions refer preferably to
silencers being essentially cylindrical. The skilled person is
well-acquainted with cylindrical geometries for use with
cylindrical coordinate systems. Here, the three dimensions are
described respectively using an azimuthal, radial or axial unit
vector. A curvature can be expressed locally by a tangent vector.
Within the cylindrical coordinate system, the tangential vector can
be deconstructed into components or portions with regard to said
unit vectors. Accordingly, a curvature component in azimuth
direction is oriented around the central longitudinal axis.
[0023] A curvature component in radial direction is oriented away
from the central axis. A curvature component in axial direction is
oriented along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis.
Exemplary curvatures oriented in one or more of the above
directions are discussed in the version examples.
[0024] Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the expansion
chambers can have a tapering and/or widening at its cross section.
According to the invention, tapering and/or widening of the
cross-section can be used to control the expansion of gases. They
lead to increased or reduced flow velocities, and this can have
impact on the damping of the muzzle blast.
[0025] Preferably, one or more expansion chambers can open into in
a sound absorption area. Such a sound absorption area can have
various forms. According to the invention, forms of sound
absorption areas include areas made porous and areas having a foam
structure. In addition or alternatively, a sound absorption area
can take the shape of a bag-like end of an elongated expansion
chamber. The expansion energy of the expanding gas or noise
generated by the gas expansion is absorbed wholly or in part by
such sound absorption areas. The ratio of absorbent surface to
expansion volume can be optimized by having the expansion chambers
branch out and/or or having long expansion chambers.
[0026] Preferably, one or more expansion chambers can open toward
an outer wall of the main body. Such openings to an outer wall
allow some of the expanding gases to escape into the environment
after passing through one or more expansion chambers. By decreasing
the expansion energy in the expansion chamber(s) (through
absorption, turbulence, etc.), the blast resulting from the gases
flowing out is at least reduced or even completely suppressed.
Openings of expansion chambers towards an outer wall of the main
body can be formed at various locations along the outer wall. In
particular, it is conceivable, for example, given an essentially
cylindrical main body, to provide these openings at one or both
faces of the cylinder and/or on the mantle surface of the
cylinder.
[0027] It is preferred that one or more expansion chambers can be
open towards the central longitudinal axis. This opening can be
formed so that it leads to the firing channel. In particular, this
opening may be situated opposite the firing direction. According to
the invention, such a preferred design may allow to increasingly
mitigate the expanding gases by repeatedly passing them through
the--or the same--expansion chambers.
[0028] In addition or alternatively, several of the expansion
chambers can combine/merge along their extensions. This can be
advantageous, for example, if one or a few expansion chambers have
openings to an outer wall or to the central longitudinal axis. In
this or other cases, other expansion chambers can combine/merge
along their extensions with the expansion chambers with openings,
so that the gases expanding therein can also escape through these
openings. This can lead, among other things, to a more compact
design and/or weight saving compared with a design without
combining/merging of expansion chambers.
[0029] In addition or alternatively, at least one of the expansion
chambers can branch out along its extension. This is advantageous,
for example, if the expanding gases in a single expansion chamber
should be directed to two locations. These locations may include,
among others, one or more of the above-cited sound absorption
areas, one or more of the above-cited openings to the outer wall,
and/or one or more openings to the central longitudinal axis. For
example, the branching of an expansion chamber, where a branch has
an opening to the outer wall, and a second branch has an opening to
the central longitudinal axis, is very advantageous. Other
combinations of the above locations are apparent to the skilled
person and are as well according to the invention.
[0030] Further, preferably expansion chambers are arranged as
helices coaxial to the central longitudinal axis. Particularly, two
expansion chambers can be arranged as double helix, three expansion
chambers as triple helix, etc.
[0031] Furthermore, preferred is an arrangement of expansion
chambers, where several of them surround each other each other in a
concentric layout. Thus, a compact and material-saving construction
can be achieved also. For example, a broad range of distribution of
expansion chambers of different lengths can achieve such a nested
construction. As a result, the routes or volumes, along which the
expanding gases pass through in the expansion chambers, have a
broad range of distributions. In addition or alternatively,
possible recirculation towards the central longitudinal axis can be
made in reverse order. More information will be provided in the
following, for example, by means of preferred versions.
[0032] A method according to the invention of producing a firearm
silencer includes forming material along a central axis for one
single-piece main body, so that at least one expansion chamber is
coaxially formed with regard to the central longitudinal axis.
[0033] It is preferred that the formation of the material is
carried out layer by layer along the central longitudinal axis. It
is particularly preferred that the formation of each layer is
carried out perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis in a
two-dimensional grid. It is especially preferred that this
two-dimensional grid extends along Cartesian or polar
coordinates.
[0034] In addition or alternatively, the production is carried out
using a single raw material. This raw material is particularly
preferred to be a metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1A shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of a first version of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 1B shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of the first version of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 2A shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of a second version of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 2B shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of the second version of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 3A shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of a third version of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 3B shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of the third version of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 4A shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of a fourth version of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 4B shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of the fourth version of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 5A shows a cross-section, which a parallel to the
central axis, of a fifth version of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 5B shows a cross-section, which is parallel to the
central axis, of the fifth version of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Hereafter, the invention will be discussed in more detail
based on the versions presented in the illustrations; in all
illustrations, essentially functionally identical elements will
have the same reference numeral.
[0046] FIGS. 1A and 1B shows a first version of a silencer 10
according to the invention. FIG. 1A provides a top view of a
longitudinal section of the silencer 10, and FIG. 1B the same
longitudinal section of the silencer 10 in foreshortened view. Both
partial illustrations show the same features that are consequently
also marked with the same reference numerals and will likewise be
described below.
[0047] The silencer 10 comprises a main body 12. The main body 12
can be manufactured along a central longitudinal axis 14.
[0048] The main body 12 is essentially cylindrical and defines, by
its shape and geometry, among other things, an outer wall 30. The
outer wall 30 essentially describes a cylinder barrel mantle, two
faces with cut-outs for a thread 37 and a muzzle opening 39, as
well as rounded edges at the transition between the cylinder mantle
and face surfaces.
[0049] The thread 37 is of a screw type for being connected either
indirectly or directly with a barrel of a gun. The thread 37 is
connected to the muzzle opening 39 by a firing channel that extends
through the main body 12 and along the central longitudinal axis
14. The inner structures, in particular the expansion chambers 20,
22, 24, 26 of the silencer 10, are defined by the main body 12;
these expansion chambers serve to reduce the muzzle blast of a
projectile fired by this firearm.
[0050] For this purpose, the illustrated version provides, e.g.,
the invention's features of walls, support structures, tapering of
expansion chambers, curvatures of expansion chambers, merging of
expansion chambers, expansion chambers surrounding each other, as
well as openings to the firing channel.
[0051] The walls 31, 32 serve as exemplary illustration of walls
extending coaxially to the central longitudinal axis, and they are
defined by the main body 12 and limit the expansion chambers. For
example, the wall 31 limits the expansion chamber 26 toward the
outside. Wall 32 limits the expansion chamber 24 toward the outside
and the expansion chamber 26 toward the inside. The other depicted
expansion chambers 20, 22 have walls which are not separately named
here for reasons of economy of representation.
[0052] The exemplary support structures 35, 36, each of which
extends respectively in a manner that is coplanar to the central
longitudinal axis, serve to stabilize statics and/or to direct the
flow direction of expanding gases.
[0053] The expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 also show changes in
their cross sections, especially taperings.
[0054] Further, there is a curvature of the expansion chamber at
the transition between the muzzle-side part of each expansion
chamber and the thread-side part of each expansion chamber. The
above-mentioned features of tapering and curvature of the expansion
chambers are designed to improve noise reduction.
[0055] Further, the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 are open
toward the firing channel. The common opening to the firing channel
is marked with reference numeral 44. These expansion chambers merge
in close proximity to this opening. In the case at hand, the
merging of multiple expansion chambers serves to produce a single
opening 44.
[0056] Further, the illustrated exemplary version shows that the
expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 surround each another. This
construction, which resembles Matryoshka dolls or nested
assemblies, leads to a compact construction and expansion chambers
having different lengths with the resulting differently sized
volumes. In the case at hand, expansion chamber 26 is the outermost
expansion chamber, whereas expansion chamber 20 forms the innermost
expansion chamber.
[0057] In operation, the silencer 10 is connected to the barrel of
a firearm either indirectly or directly with the help of the thread
37 (not shown). After a projectile has been fired, it passes
through the firing channel along the central longitudinal axis,
through the main body and to the muzzle opening 39. In addition,
gases travel this route and into the suppressor. According to the
invention, some of these gases then expand in the expansion
chambers, whereby their expansion can be partially controlled to
largely prevent an explosive expansion, which would result in a
muzzle blast. The gases thus flow through the firing channel from
the thread 37 to the muzzle opening 39 and, during the course of
this flow, are partially absorbed in each of the expansion chambers
20, 22, 24, 26. The respective part flowing through one of the
expansion chambers is re-directed along this expansion chamber
opposite the firing direction to the opening 44, where a repeated
flow begins through the firing channel. This redirection can be
carried out multiple times. Thus, only a fraction of the expanding
gases gradually escapes in each instance through the muzzle opening
39, and, according to the invention, there is no, or at the very
least a significantly reduced, muzzle blast.
[0058] FIGS. 2A and 2B shows a second exemplary version of a
silencer 10 according to the invention. FIG. 2A shows the top view
of a longitudinal section of the silencer 10, and FIG. 2B shows the
same longitudinal section of the silencer 10 in foreshortened view.
Both partial illustrations display the same features that are
consequently also marked with the same reference numerals and will
likewise be described below.
[0059] The silencer 10 comprises a main body component 12. The main
body component 12 can be manufactured along a central longitudinal
axis 14.
[0060] The main body component 12 is essentially cylindrical and
defines, by its shape and geometry, among other things an outer
wall 30. The outer wall 30 is essentially made up of a cylinder
mantle, two faces with cut-outs for a thread 37 and a muzzle
opening 39, as well as rounded edges at the transition between the
cylinder mantle and face surfaces.
[0061] The screw-type thread 37 is connected either indirectly or
directly with the barrel of a gun. The thread 37 is connected to
the muzzle opening 39 by a firing channel that extends through the
main body 12 and along the central longitudinal axis 14. The inner
structures, in particular the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 of
the silencer 10, are defined by the main body/component 12; these
expansion chambers serve to reduce the muzzle blast of a projectile
fired by this firearm.
[0062] For this purpose, the illustrated version provides, among
other things, the invention's features of the walls, support
structures, tapering of expansion chambers, curvatures of expansion
chambers, expansion chambers surrounding each other, as well as
openings to the firing channel.
[0063] The walls 31, 32 serve as exemplary illustrations of walls
extending coaxially to the central longitudinal axis and they are
defined by the main body 12 and limit the expansion chambers. For
example, the wall 31 limits the expansion chamber 22 toward the
outside, and the expansion chamber 20 toward the inside. Wall 32
limits the expansion chamber 24 toward the outside and the
expansion chamber 26 toward the inside. The other illustrated
expansion chambers also have walls that are not individually named
for reasons of economy of representation.
[0064] The exemplary support structures 35, 36, each of which
extends respectively in a manner that is coplanar to the central
longitudinal axis, serve to stabilize statics and/or to direct the
flow direction of expanding gases.
[0065] The expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 also show changes in
their cross sections, especially taperings. Each of the expansion
chambers show a part extending essentially diagonally to the
central longitudinal axis 14 in a relatively large cross-section,
as well as one part extending essentially parallel to the central
longitudinal axis 14 in a relatively small cross-section. A
reduction of the cross-section, i.e. tapering, is thus located at
the transition point between the two said parts.
[0066] Further, there is a curvature of the expansion chamber at
the transition between the part of each expansion chamber which is
essentially diagonal to the central longitudinal axis 14 and the
part of each expansion chamber which is parallel to the central
longitudinal axis 14. In the case at hand, the curvature has
predominantly axial components, as well as, in part, radial and
azimuthal components. The azimuthal, i.e. helix-like components are
determined here among other things by the form and pathway of
supporting structures. Two examples of support structures have been
assigned the reference numerals 35, 36. The above-mentioned
features of tapering and curvature of the expansion chambers are
for improving noise reduction.
[0067] Further, the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 open into the
firing channel. Each expansion chamber has an individual opening to
the firing channel. The one for the expansion chamber 24 is
referred to by its reference numeral 44.
[0068] Further, the illustrated exemplary version shows that the
expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 surround each another. This
method of construction, along the lines of Matryoshka or nested
arrangement serves to keep construction compact and to allow the
expansion chambers to be of varying lengths. In the case at hand,
expansion chamber 20 is the outermost expansion chamber, whereas
expansion chamber 26 forms the innermost expansion chamber.
[0069] In operation, the silencer 10 is attached to the barrel of a
firearm (not shown) by means of the thread 37. After a projectile
has been fired, it passes through the firing channel along the
central longitudinal axis, through the main body and to the muzzle
opening 39. In addition, gases travel this route and into the
suppressor. According to the invention, some of these gases then
expand in the expansion chambers, whereby their expansion can be
partially controlled to largely prevent an explosive expansion,
which would result in a muzzle blast.
[0070] The gases thus flow through the firing channel from the
thread 37 to the muzzle opening 39 and, during the course of this
flow, are partially absorbed in each of the expansion chambers 20,
22, 24, 26. The respective part flowing through one of the
expansion chambers, is directed, along the expansion chamber and
along the firing direction, to an opening, e.g. opening 44 in the
case of expansion chamber 24, where a partially backward-directed
flow through the firing channel begins. Thus only a fraction of the
expanding gases gradually escapes in each instance through the
muzzle opening 39, and conforming to the invention, there is no, or
at the very least a significantly reduced, muzzle blast.
[0071] FIGS. 3A and 3B shows a third version of a silencer 10
according to the invention. FIG. 3A shows the top view of a
longitudinal section of the silencer 10 and FIG. 3B the same
longitudinal section of the silencer 10 in foreshortened view. Both
partial illustrations show the same features that are consequently
also marked with the same reference numerals and will likewise be
described below.
[0072] The silencer 10 comprises a main body 12. The main body 12
can be manufactured along a central longitudinal axis 14.
[0073] The main body/component 12 is essentially cylindrical and
defines, by its shape and geometry, among other things, an outer
wall 30. The outer wall 30 essentially includes a cylinder mantle,
two faces with cut-outs for a thread 37 and a muzzle opening 39, as
well as rounded edges at the transition between the cylinder mantle
and face surfaces.
[0074] The screw-type thread 37 is connected either indirectly or
directly with the barrel of a gun. The thread 37 is connected to
the muzzle opening 39 by a firing channel that extends through the
main body 12 and along the central longitudinal axis 14. The inner
structures, in particular the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 of
the silencer 10, are defined by the main body/component 12 and
serve to reduce the muzzle blast of a projectile fired by this
firearm.
[0075] The illustrated exemplary version provides, for this
purpose, among other things, the invention's features of walls,
support structures, tapered expansion chambers, curved expansion
chambers, branching expansion chambers, openings to the firing
channel, openings to the outer wall, sound absorption areas, as
well as expansion chambers surrounding each other.
[0076] The walls 31, 32 serve as an exemplary illustration of walls
extending coaxially to the central longitudinal axis, which are
defined by the main body 12 and limit the expansion chambers. The
other illustrated expansion chambers also have walls that are not
individually named for reasons of economy of representation.
[0077] The exemplary support structures 35, 36, each of which
extends respectively in a manner that is coplanar to the central
longitudinal axis, serve to stabilize statics and/or to direct the
flow direction of expanding gases.
[0078] The expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 also show changes in
their cross sections, especially taperings. Each of the expansion
chambers has a part which extends essentially perpendicularly to
the central longitudinal axis 14 and has a relatively large cross
section, as well as a part that is essentially parallel to the
central longitudinal axis 14 and has a relatively small cross
section. A reduction of the cross-section, i.e. a tapering is thus
located at the transition point between the two said parts.
[0079] Further, a curvature of every expansion chamber is located
at the transition between the part of each expansion chamber
essentially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 14 and
the part of each expansion chamber which is parallel to the central
longitudinal axis 14. In the case at hand, the curvature has
predominantly axial and azimuthal components, and in part some
radial components. Two examples of support structures have been
assigned the reference numerals 35, 36. The above-mentioned
features of tapering and curvature of the expansion chambers are
for improving noise reduction.
[0080] Further, the expansion chambers have branches, so that the
gases expanding in them can flow to different locations. These
locations include opening to the firing channel, openings to the
outer wall, as well as sound absorption areas. In particular, the
expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 respectively open towards the
firing channel. Each expansion chamber has an individual opening to
the firing channel. The one for the expansion chamber 24 is
referred to by its reference numeral 44. Further, the expansion
chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 are open to the outer wall. Reference
numerals 42, 43 refer to two exemplary openings. Also, some
expansion chambers have sound absorption areas. Reference sign 40
refers to an exemplary sound absorption area.
[0081] Further, from the illustrated exemplary version it can be
seen that the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 surround one
another. This method of construction, along the lines of Matryoshka
or nested arrangement, serves to keep construction compact and to
allow the expansion chambers to be of varying lengths. In the case
at hand, expansion chamber 26 is the outermost expansion chamber,
whereas expansion chamber 20 forms the innermost expansion
chamber.
[0082] In operation, the silencer 10 is attached to the barrel of a
firearm (not shown) by means of the thread 37. After a projectile
has been fired, it passes through the firing channel along the
central longitudinal axis, through the main body and to the muzzle
opening 39. In addition, gases travel this route and into the
suppressor. According to the invention, some of these gases then
expand in the expansion chambers, whereby their expansion can be
partially controlled to largely prevent an explosive expansion,
which would result in a muzzle blast.
[0083] The gases thus flow through the firing channel from thread
37 to muzzle opening 39 and, during the course of this flow, are
partially absorbed in each of the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24,
26.
[0084] The respective part flowing through one of the expansion
chambers is directed along this expansion chamber opposite to the
firing direction. These gases, which expand in the expansion
chambers, encounter branchings and mergings. On the one hand, the
expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 merge so that the gases flow into
a common area. On the other hand, this common space branches out.
The expanding gases flow partly to a sound absorption area 40,
partly to one of several openings 42, 43 in the outer wall 30, or
to one of several openings 44, 45 to the firing channel. Thus only
a fraction of the expanding gases gradually escapes in each
instance through the muzzle opening 39, and, according to the
invention, there is no, or at the very least a significantly
reduced, muzzle blast. A part of the expanding gases passes through
one of the openings 42, 43 from the silencer. Some of the expanding
gases once again, or repeatedly, are directed through one of the
openings 44, 45 through the firing channel. Further, some of the
expansion energy is absorbed in sack-like cul-de-sacs in the
expansion chambers, i.e. the sound absorption area 40. Due to the
large number of curvatures, taperings/widenings and branches,
turbulence also arises in the gases' flow behavior, leading to a
further expansion energy dissipation.
[0085] FIGS. 4A and 4B shows a fourth version of the silencer 10.
According to the invention, FIG. 4A shows the top view of a
longitudinal section of the silencer 10 and FIG. 4B the same
longitudinal section of the silencer 10 in foreshortened view. Both
partial illustrations show the same features that are consequently
also marked with the same reference numerals and will likewise be
described below.
[0086] The silencer 10 comprises a main body 12. The main body 12
can be manufactured along a central longitudinal axis 14.
[0087] The main body 12 is essentially cylindrical and defines, by
its shape and geometry, among other things, an outer wall 30. The
outer wall 30 essentially includes a cylinder mantle, two faces
with cut-outs for a thread 37 and a muzzle opening 39, as well as
rounded edges at the transition between the cylinder mantle and
face surfaces.
[0088] The screw-type thread 37 is connected either indirectly or
directly with the barrel of a gun. The thread 37 is connected to
the muzzle opening 39 by a firing channel that extends through the
main body 12 and along the central longitudinal axis 14. The inner
structures, in particular the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 of
the silencer 10, are defined by the main body 12; and serve to
reduce the muzzle blast of a projectile fired by this firearm.
[0089] For this purpose, the illustrated exemplary version
provides, inter alia, the invention's features of curved expansion
chambers, taperings and widenings, support structures, as well as
openings to the firing channel.
[0090] The expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 exhibit changes in
their cross section. As seen from the top view, each of the
expansion chambers has an essentially u-shaped longitudinal
section. Each of the legs of the U shows a different cross-section.
Thus, on the one hand, a curvature, and, on the other hand,
taperings, or widenings are provided at the transition between the
respective legs. In this case, the curvature features predominantly
axial and radial components.
[0091] Two exemplary support structures are assigned the reference
numerals 35, 36. The above-mentioned characteristics of
taperings/widenings and curved expansion chambers serve to improve
noise reduction.
[0092] Further, the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 open to the
firing channel. Each expansion chamber has an individual opening to
the firing channel. The one for the expansion chamber 24 is
referred to by its reference numeral 44.
[0093] Further, in the exemplary version shown, it is evident that
in the present case the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 do not
surround each other, but are arranged sequentially along the firing
direction.
[0094] The exemplary support structures, 35, 36, that at least
partly extend in a coplanar manner to the central longitudinal
axis, serve to stabilize static and/or the direction of the flow of
the expanding gases.
[0095] In operation, the silencer 10 is attached to the barrel of a
firearm (not shown) by means of the thread 37. After a projectile
has been fired, it passes through the firing channel along the
central longitudinal axis, through the main body and to the muzzle
opening 39. In addition, gases travel this route and into the
suppressor. According to the invention, some of these gases then
expand in the expansion chambers; whereby their expansion can be
partially controlled to largely prevent an explosive expansion,
which would result in a muzzle blast.
[0096] The gases thus flow through the firing channel from the
thread 37 to the muzzle opening 39 and, during the course of this
flow, are partially absorbed in each of the expansion chambers 20,
22, 24, 26. The respective part of gases flowing through one of the
expansion chambers is directed along this expansion chamber. Along
their path in the expansion chambers, the expanding gases encounter
curvatures and cross-section changes. Thus, only a fraction of the
expanding gases gradually escapes in each instance through the
muzzle opening 39, and, according to the invention, there is no, or
at the very least a significantly reduced, muzzle blast. Due to the
large number of curvatures, taperings/widenings and branches,
turbulence also arises in the gases' flow behavior, leading to the
expansion energy dissipating even further.
[0097] FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a fifth version of a silencer 10
according to the invention. FIG. 5A shows the top view of a
longitudinal section of the silencer 10, and FIG. 5B the same
longitudinal section of the silencer 10 in foreshortened view. Both
partial illustrations show the same features that are consequently
also marked with the same reference numerals and will likewise be
described below.
[0098] The silencer 10 comprises a main body 12. The main body 12
can be manufactured along a central longitudinal axis 14.
[0099] The main body 12 is essentially oblong and defines by its
shape and geometry by, among other things, an outer wall 30.
However, the outer wall 30, in contrast to the above exemplary
version, does not describe a cylindrical shape in the case at hand.
Also, central longitudinal axis 14 does not run through the
geometric center, but, instead, is offset upwards. This exemplary
version illustrates the structural flexibility of the invention,
something which goes hand in hand with its production according to
the invention.
[0100] For this purpose, the illustrated exemplary version
provides, among other things, the invention's features of tapering
of expansion chambers, curvatures of expansion chambers, merging of
expansion chambers, expansion chambers surrounding each other,
sound absorbing areas and openings to the outer wall.
[0101] The tapering of expansion chambers is illustrated by means
of expansion chambers 24, 26. The use of multiple curved expansion
chambers is represented by the expansion chamber 22, resulting in
an unusually long expansion chamber. A merging of two expansion
chambers is shown as example for the expansion chambers 20 and 22.
Further, it is evident from the illustrated exemplary version that
the expansion chamber 22 surrounds the expansion chambers 24 and
26. The use of sound absorption areas is demonstrated in the
example of the expansion chamber 26 with its sound absorption area
40. Expansion chamber 22 also includes an opening 42 to the outer
wall 30 of the main body 12.
[0102] In operation, the silencer 10 is connected (not shown) to
the firearm by a tube placed in the area of the expansion chamber
20. After a projectile is fired, it passes along the central
longitudinal axis through the firing channel, through the main body
and then to the muzzle opening 39. In addition, gases travel this
route and into the suppressor. According to the invention, some of
these gases then expand in the expansion chambers and their
expansion can be partially controlled to largely prevent an
explosive expansion, which would result in a muzzle blast.
[0103] The gases thus flow through the firing channel to the muzzle
opening 39, and, along this way are partially absorbed by each of
the expansion chambers 20, 22, 24, 26. Thus, only a fraction of the
expanding gases gradually escapes through the muzzle opening 39 and
the opening 42 to the outer wall; and in accordance with the
invention, there is no, or at the very least a significantly
reduced, muzzle blast.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0104] Firearm silencer 10 [0105] Main body 12 [0106] Longitudinal
axis 14 [0107] Expansion chamber 20, 22, 24, 26 [0108] Outer wall
30 [0109] Wall 31, 32 [0110] Bars 33, 34 [0111] Support structure
35, 36 [0112] Thread 37 [0113] Muzzle Opening 39 [0114] Sound
absorption area 40 [0115] Opening to the outer wall 42, 43 [0116]
Opening to the firing channel 44, 45
* * * * *