Patent Publication Number: US-8991551-B2

Title: Weapon silencers and baffles for weapon silencers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/748,463, which was filed on Jan. 3, 2013. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure herein relates to weapon silencers and baffles for weapon silencers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Firearm muzzle silencers absorb and reduce the audible frequencies and vibrations occurring from the rapid expansion of gases leaving a firearm muzzle as the projectile leaves the gun bore. Such devices, in addition to reducing audible frequencies, also contain and arrest muzzle flash. Silencers, conventionally, are designed to temporarily contain and divert the expanding gases, and necessarily, effective firearm silencers are typically relatively large and bulky so that they can accommodate the large volume of expanding gas, especially with higher caliber firearms. 
     Firearm silencers or suppressors are known wherein a plurality of baffles is mounted within the silencer body in axially aligned relationship wherein the baffles include conical or expanding volume bores. It is also known to employ spiral baffles or vanes in firearm silencers for increasing the gas path of movement length and arresting gas expansion. Some silencers incorporate baffles having diverging bores and spiral vanes located on the exterior surface of baffles. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a baffle for a weapon silencer that includes an annular wall that defines an axial passageway that extends from a first axial opening at a first axial end to a second axial opening at a second axial end. The annular wall defines a first section located adjacent to the first axial end and in which the diameter of the axial passageway increases from a smallest diameter adjacent to the first axial end to a largest diameter adjacent at a location that is spaced from the first axial end. The annular wall defines a second section having a spiraled vane formed on an exterior surface of the annular wall. The annular wall defines a third section that is located adjacent to the second axial end, the third section having a plurality of ports that extend radially through the annular wall to allow communication between the axial passageway and an exterior. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a weapon silencer that includes a cylindrical housing that extends from a first end to a second end, a mounting structure connected to the first end of the cylindrical housing, wherein the mounting structure is configured to connect the cylindrical housing to a weapon, a cap connected to the second end of the cylindrical housing, and a plurality of axially adjacent annular baffles. The baffles are disposed within the cylindrical housing, each baffle having an annular wall that defines an axial passageway that extends from a first axial opening at a first axial end of the baffle to a second axial opening at a second axial end of the axial baffle. The annular wall defines a first section located adjacent to the first axial end of the baffle in which the diameter of the axial passageway increases from a smallest diameter adjacent to the first axial end of the baffle to a largest diameter adjacent at a location that is spaced from the first axial end of the baffle. The annular wall defines a second section having a spiraled vane formed on an exterior surface of the annular wall of the baffle. The annular wall defining a third section that is located adjacent to the second axial end of the baffle, the third section having a plurality of ports that extend radially through the annular wall of the baffle to allow communication between the axial passageway and an exterior of the baffle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure herein will be made with reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a weapon silencer according to a first example; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section perspective view showing the weapon silencer according to the first example; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section view showing a baffle from the weapon silencer according to the first example; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing a weapon silencer according to a second example; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section perspective view showing the weapon silencer according to the second example; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section view showing a baffle from the weapon silencer according to the second example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-2  show a weapon silencer  100  according to a first example. The weapon silencer  100  extends from a first end  102  to a second end  104 . The first end  102  of the weapon silencer  100  can be connected to a weapon, such as a firearm, and may also be referred to herein as a muzzle end of the weapon silencer  100 . The second end  104  of the weapon silencer  100  is axially opposite the first end  102 , and may also be referred to herein as a discharge end of the weapon silencer  100 . 
     The weapon silencer  100  includes a substantially cylindrical housing  110 , a mounting adaptor  120 , and end cap  130 , a substantially cylindrical spacer  140 , and a plurality of baffles  150 . The mounting adaptor  120  is located at the first end  102  of the weapon silencer  100 , and is connected to the cylindrical housing  110 , such as by a threaded connection between the mounting adaptor  120  and the cylindrical housing  110 . The end cap  130  is located at the second end  104  of the weapon silencer  100 , and is connected to the housing  110 , such as by a threaded connection between the housing  110  and the end cap  130 . The spacer  140  is located inside the housing  110  near the first end  102  of the weapon silencer  100 , and can be positioned between the mounting adaptor  120  and the baffles  150 . The baffles  150  are positioned between the spacer  140  and the end cap  130 . The baffles  150  are arranged in an axially adjacent configuration with respect to one another, along the longitudinal axis of the housing  110 . 
     The housing  110  is a substantially cylindrical body in the form of a hollow tube. The housing  110  defines a cylindrical bore  112  that extends axially through the housing  110 . Other components of the weapon silencer  100  can be disposed within the cylindrical bore  112  of the housing  110 . For example, the spacer  140  and the baffles  150  can be disposed within the cylindrical bore  112  of the housing  110 . The housing  110  can include a first threaded portion  114  at a first end thereof for threaded connection to the mounting adaptor  120 . The housing  110  can also include a second threaded portion  116  at a second end thereof for threaded connection to the end cap  130 . Alternatively, other structures could be provided for securing the cylindrical housing  110  to the mounting adaptor  120  and the end cap  130 , such as fasteners of any conventional type. 
     The mounting adaptor  120  is connected to the housing  110  and is adapted to be connected to the discharge end or muzzle end of a firearm. Accordingly, when a firearm is connected to the weapon silencer  100  and is fired, the projectile that is discharged from the firearm enters the weapon silencer  100  at the mounting adaptor  120 . 
     The mounting adaptor  120  can include a radially extending end wall  122  that has an outside diameter that is substantially equal to or greater than the outside diameter of the housing  110 . The radially extending wall can define a substantially circular out of periphery for the mounting adaptor  120 . Furthermore, the mounting adaptor  120  can be a substantially annular body with a bore  124  that extends along its longitudinal axis. The bore  124  can be sized such that it is configured to receive the muzzle of a firearm therein. The mounting adaptor  120  includes a mounting structure for securing the weapon silencer  100  to a firearm. In the illustrated example, a threaded portion  126  is formed within the bore  124  of the mounting adaptor  120 . The threaded portion  126  is threadedly engageable with the muzzle of a firearm, which can be complimentarily threaded for connection to the mounting adaptor  120 . 
     The bore  124  of the mounting adaptor  120  extends at least in part through a reduced diameter section  128  that, when assembled, is located within the housing  110 . Along the exterior radial surface of the reduced diameter section  128 , a threaded portion  129  is defined on the mounting adaptor  120  for threaded connection with the first threaded portion  114  of the housing  110 . 
     The end cap  130  is an annular body having a central bore  132  that extends along a central axis of the end cap  130 . A threaded portion  134  is formed on an outer radial surface of the end cap  130  for threaded connection with the second threaded portion  116  of the housing  110 . An annular rim  136  extends inward from a main body portion  138  of the end cap  130  in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the end cap  130  and has radial surfaces that are spaced radially from the central bore  132  and the outer radial surface of the end cap  130 , respectively. 
     The spacer  140  is a substantially cylindrical hollow body that is disposed within the housing  110  of the weapon silencer  100 . The spacer  140  defines an axial bore  142  that extends coaxially with the cylindrical bore  112  of the housing  110  when the weapon silencer  100  is assembled. The spacer  140  has an outside diameter that is complimentary to the inside diameter of the cylindrical bore  112  of the housing  110 , such that a close fit is defined between the housing  110  and the spacer  140 . A first end  144  of the spacer abuts the mounting adaptor  120 . A second end  146  of the spacer  140  abuts one of the baffles  150 . Moreover, one of the baffles  150  can be at least partially received within the axial bore  142  of the spacer  140  adjacent to the second end  146  of the spacer  140 . The spacer  140  tapers radially inward adjacent to the second end  146  thereof. A plurality of ports  148  extend radially through the annular wall of the spacer  140  in the tapered area to allow communication of gases from a firearm discharge to travel through the ports  148  and into an area that is defined between the spacer  140  and the housing  110  in the tapered area of the spacer  140  adjacent to the second end  146  thereof. 
     As previously noted, the weapon silencer  100  includes a plurality of baffles  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, five baffles are included. However, it should be understood that the number of baffles provided can be increased or decreased depending upon the needs of a particular application. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , each of the baffles  150  is a substantially annular body that extends from a first end  152  to a second end  154  along a longitudinal axis  156 . An inlet opening  158  is located at the first end  152  of each baffle  150 . An outlet opening  160  is located at the second end  154  of each baffle  150 . 
     Each of the baffles  150  includes a concave surface  162  that is located adjacent to the first end  152  of the baffle  150 . The concave surface  162  is an exterior surface of the baffle  150  that extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis  156  of the baffle  150 . The concave surface  162  extends from the first end  152  until reaching a cylindrical shoulder  164 . The cylindrical shoulder  164  is located on the exterior of the baffle  150 , extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis  156 , and has an outside diameter that is complimentary to the inside diameter of the baffle  150  at the second end  154  thereof, and is also complimentary to the inside diameter of the spacer  140  at the second end  146  thereof. Accordingly, each of the baffles  150  can be inserted into the spacer  140  or into another one of the baffles  150  such that the concave surface  162  is disposed within the spacer  140  or the other baffle  150 . To limit the depth of insertion of the baffle  150  into the spacer  140  or into another one of the baffles  150 , a radially extending stop surface  166  is positioned on the exterior of the baffle  150  adjacent to the cylindrical shoulder  164 , and extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  156  of the baffle  150 . 
     A spiraled vane  168  is formed on the exterior of the baffle  150 , starting at the radially extending surface  166 . The spiraled vane  168  can be formed integrally with the remainder of the baffle  150 . For example, the entirety of the baffle  150  can be machined from a single metal blank. The spiraled vane  168  includes an inner periphery  170  of substantially constant diameter and an outer periphery  172  having a substantially constant diameter that is greater than the diameter of the inner periphery  170 . The diameter of the outer periphery  172  of the spiraled vane  168  is complimentary to the inside diameter of the cylindrical bore of the housing  110 , such that the baffles  150  are received within the housing  110  with a close fit between the cylindrical bore  112  and the outer periphery  172  of the spiraled vane  168 , such that discharge gases from a firearm can be routed through the spiraled vane  168 , and are thus directed around the baffle  150  several times before exiting the spiraled vane  168 , instead of bypassing the spiraled vane  168  in the axial direction of the baffle  150 . While the baffle  150  of the illustrated example includes a single spiraled vane  168 , it should be understood that the baffle  150  could also be constructed with multiple adjacent spiraled vanes  168 . 
     The spiraled vane  168  increases the length by which the discharge gases from a firearm travel, thus increasing the retention time of the gases in each baffle  150 . This provides a greater length of time over which the discharge gases can cool. For example, the length of travel through the spiraled vane  168 , in some examples, is five to seven times the axial length of the baffle. Also, by diverting the discharge gases through the spiraled vane  168 , each baffle  150  avoids generation of excessive backpressure. 
     At the end of the spiraled vane  168 , the baffles  150  each include a cylindrical wall  174  having a plurality of ports  176  that extend radially there through. The outside diameter of the cylindrical wall  174  is smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery  172  of the spiraled vane  168 , and can also be smaller than the diameter of the inner periphery  170  of the spiraled vane  168 . Thus, when the baffles  150  are disposed within the housing  110 , a space is defined between the cylindrical wall  174  and the cylindrical bore  112  of the housing  110 . 
     The interior of the baffles  150  each define an axial passageway  180  that extends from the inlet opening  158 , which is also referred to herein as a first axial opening, to the outlet opening  160 , which is also referred to herein as a second axial opening. In a first section of the axial passageway  180 , a convex interior wall  182  is defined. The convex interior wall extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis  156 . In this section of the interior of the baffle  150 , the diameter of the axial passageway increases from a smallest diameter adjacent to the first end  152  of the baffle  150  to a largest diameter at the end of the convex interior wall  182  in a direction of travel from the first end  152  toward the second end  154  along the longitudinal axis  156 . In a second section of the axial passageway  180 , which starts at the end of the convex interior wall  182 , the diameter of the axial passageway  180  is constant. In this section, the spiraled vane  168  is formed on the exterior of the baffle  150 . A third section of the axial passageway  180  is formed in the area where the ports  176  extend radially through the cylindrical wall  174  of the baffle  150 . The diameter of the axial passageway  180  remains constant in this section. The ports  176  allow communication of gases from the axial passageway  180  to the space outside of the cylindrical wall  174  by the ports  176  during discharge of a firearm. 
     In operation, the weapon silencer  100  is mounted upon a firearm in order to silence the firearm during discharge. The weapon silencer  100  can be mounted to the firearm, for example, by threading the threaded portion  126  of the mounting adaptor  120  to a complimentary threaded portion on a muzzle of the firearm. This places the axial passage that extends through the weapon silencer  100  in registration with the muzzle of the firearm. 
     Upon discharge of the firearm, the bullet and the propelling gases rapidly move through the bore  124  of the mounting adaptor  120  and into the spacer  140 . The greater diameter of the spacer  140  with respect to the bore  124  allows the gases to expand rapidly within the spacer  140 , and a portion of the gases are directed radially through the ports  148  that are formed through the spacer  140  at the second end  146  thereof. 
     The gases that travel through the ports  148  of the spacer  140  are directed into the spiraled vane  168  of the baffle that is positioned adjacent to the spacer  140 . These gases travel through the spiraled vane until reaching the second end of the baffle  150 , where additional gases travel from the axial passageway  180  of the baffle  150 , through the ports  176  that extend through the cylindrical wall  174  of the baffle  150 , and join the gases that travel through the spiraled vane  168 . With each successive baffle, additional gases enter the spiraled vane  168  of the respective baffle  150 . In particular, since the gases that are traveling within the spiraled vanes  168  tend to decelerate and cool faster than the gases that travel through the axial passageway  180  of each of the baffles  150 , the pressure within the axial passageway  180  of each baffle  150  is greater than the pressure that can be expected to be found outside the ports  176 , in the space between the cylindrical wall  174  of the baffle  150  and the housing  110 . Thus, a portion of the gas from the interior of the baffle  150  travels through the ports  176  and joins the gas that has been traveling through the spiraled vane  168 . These gases combine and then enter the spiraled vane of the next baffle. When the gases reach the baffle  150  that is positioned adjacent to the end cap  130 , the gases that travel through the spiraled vane  168  are forced into the axial passageway  180  through the ports  176 , and exit the weapon silencer  100  through the bore  132  of the end cap  130 . 
       FIGS. 4-6  show a weapon silencer  200  according to a second example. The weapon silencer  200  is identical in structure and operation to the weapon silencer  100 , except as explicitly noted herein. 
     The housing  210  can include a plurality of ports  212  that are formed therethrough to allow gases to travel from the interior of the housing  210  to the exterior of the housing  210 . This allows a portion of the discharged gases to be expelled from the weapon silencer  200  before reaching the end cap  230  thereof. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the baffles  250  includes a radially extending flange  290  that is positioned between a spiraled vane  268  and a second end  254  of the baffle  250 . The radially extending flange  290  has a maximum outer diameter that is equal to the maximum outer diameter of the spiraled vane  268 , which is formed on the baffle  250  and is substantially identical to the spiraled vane  168  of the baffle  150 , as previously described. Because the outside diameter of the radially extending flange  290  and the spiraled vane  268  is complimentary to the inside diameter of the housing  210 , gas is not permitted to travel axially passed the radially extending flange  290 . Instead, the gas can be forced out of the cylindrical housing  210  through the ports  212 . Thus, during discharge of a firearm that is connected to the weapon silencer  200 , the portion of the gas that travels through the spiraled vane  268  is slowed down before being reaching the area between the spiraled vane  268  and the radially extending flange  290 , where the gas travels out of the housing  210  through the ports  212 , which are positioned adjacent to this area. 
     In order to allow discharge gases to enter the spiraled vane  268  of each of the baffles  250 , the baffles  250  each have a plurality of ports  276  that extend radially through the cylindrical wall adjacent to the second end  254  between the radially extending flange  290  and the second end  254 . Similar ports are provided in a substantially cylindrical spacer  240 . 
     It should be understood that features of the weapon silencer  100  and features of the weapon silencer  200  can be combined. For example, the housing  110  of the weapon silencer  100  can be modified to include ports similar to the ports  212  of the housing  210  of the weapon silencer  200 . Conversely, the housing  210  of the weapon silencer  200  can be eliminated. Other modifications and substitutions can also be made. 
     While the disclosure herein is made in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the claims are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements.