Patent Publication Number: US-9417023-B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for flash suppression

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/921,682, filed Dec. 30, 2013, and incorporates the disclosure of the application by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     When a firearm is discharged, gases generated by combustion of an explosive mixture in the firearm chamber propel a projectile through the firearm barrel and out the muzzle. These propellant gases exit the muzzle in the wake of the projectile and mix with the ambient air. The exiting gases cause or contribute to unwanted effects including, muzzle flash, recoil/muzzle lift, and interference with projectile stability. 
     Muzzle flash results from contact of the propellant with air at the muzzle. The propellant gas mixture, containing traces of unburned powder, remains extremely hot at the end of the barrel. Oxygen in the surrounding air combines with the hot gas to enable combustion of the residual chemicals, resulting in a visible flash of light just beyond the end of the barrel. Muzzle flash is undesirable because, among other things, it gives away the location of a shooter at night or under other low ambient light conditions. 
     Recoil is the reactive force against the gun barrel applied by the moving bullet and propellant. A substantial component of this reactive force is created by the forward ejection of the propellant out the muzzle. The recoil force is typically applied at a point above the center of gravity of the firearm and this, combined with the torque reaction generated by the rapidly spinning projectile, tends to pull the muzzle upward and to the right upon firing. 
     Projectile stability is affected by the exiting propellant gas that passes and surrounds the projectile immediately beyond the muzzle. The velocity of the propellant is typically about twice the velocity of the projectile, so that at exit some propellant moves around and in front of the projectile. The propellant immediately slows down in the air, causing drag on the projectile. More significantly, in the case of a firearm with a rifled barrel, the propellant exerts a force that makes the spinning projectile wobble or “yaw”, thereby causing the projectile to take longer to stabilize and decreasing the accuracy of the firearm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Methods and apparatus for flash suppression according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise a body that is configured to be selectively coupled to a firearm. The body may be formed with curved and or arcing protrusions extending longitudinally along the body. Each protrusion is separated from another protrusion by a gap configured to dissipate gases and unburned materials exiting the barrel of the firearm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1  representatively illustrates a front perspective view of a flash suppressor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG. 2  representatively illustrates a side view of the flash suppressor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG. 3  representatively illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flash suppressor across line A-A of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG. 4  representatively illustrates a rear perspective view of a flash suppressor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG. 5  representatively illustrates a front view of the flash suppressor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG. 6  representatively illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flash suppressor across line B-B of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and 
         FIG. 7  representatively illustrates a rear view of a flash suppressor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present technology may be described in terms of functional elements and various processing steps. Such functional elements may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various types of materials, fastening devices, surface finishes and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction with any number of processes for reducing secondary combustion, concealing locations, and sound suppression, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, the present technology may employ any number of conventional techniques for metalworking, component manufacturing, tooling fabrication and/or forming surfaces. 
     Methods and apparatus for flash suppression according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable flash suppression system. Representative implementations of the present technology may also be applied to a variety of devices capable of firing projectiles. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , in an exemplary embodiment of the present technology, a flash suppressor  100  may comprise a body  102  having a proximal first end portion  106  and a distal second end portion  110 . The body  102  may comprise any device or system for reducing a flash exiting a barrel of a firearm after a projectile has been fired. For example, the body  102  may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape having a plurality of protrusions  104  extending at least part way between the first end portion  106  and the second end portion  110  of the body  102 . The body  102  may comprise any suitable dimensions that may be determined, at least in part, according to the type of firearm the flash suppressor  100  is intended to be used with. For example, the body  102  may comprise an outer diameter of between about one-half inch and four inches and a length of between about one inch and five inches. The outer diameter may be substantially the same as an outer diameter of the barrel of the firearm the flash suppressor  100  is intended to be coupled to. 
     The body  102  may comprise any suitable material such as steel, iron, titanium, composite, plastic, and the like. The body  102  may be suitably adapted to withstand elevated temperatures associated with repeated and/or substantially continuous firing. The body  102  may also be adapted to be exposed to environmental conditions such as water, sunlight, and cold temperatures without becoming structurally and/or aesthetically compromised. For example, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the body  102  may be formed of a surface hardened 86L20 combat grade steel. The body  102  may further comprise any suitable surface finish or treatment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the body  102  may comprise an axial pathway  302  extending between a first interior point  304  and a second interior point  306  located along an interior mid-portion  108  of the body  102 . The axial pathway  302  provides at least a portion of a pathway through the body  102  configured to allow the fired projectile to pass through the interior of the body  102  and exit the body  102  from the second end. portion  110 . The axial pathway  302  may comprise any suitable diameter to provide sufficient area for the passage of the projectile. For example, the axial pathway  302  may comprise a diameter at least as large as a bore of the barrel of the firearm. The axial pathway  302  may be further configured to have a center aligned with a longitudinal axis  200  of the body when the flash suppressor  100  is coupled to the firearm. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the body  102  may further comprise a recessed opening  402  located within the first end portion  106 . The recessed opening  402  may be configured to allow the body  102  to be selectively coupled to the barrel of the firearm. The recessed opening  402  may comprise any suitable system or method for connecting the body  102  to the firearm. For example, in one embodiment, the recessed opening  402  may comprise an inner diameter suitably configured to receive the barrel of the firearm. The recessed opening  402  may be configured with a threaded inner wall  404  suitably adapted to allow the body  102  to be screwed onto a set of mating threads positioned along an exterior surface of the barrel. In a second embodiment, the body  102  may comprise one or more threaded apertures located along the first end portion  106  suitably configured to allow a set screw to be tightened against the barrel when inserted, into the recessed opening  402 . 
     The body  102  may farther comprise one or more notches  114  positioned along an exterior surface of the body  102  to facilitate tightening of the body  102  to the barrel of the firearm. Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the body  102  may also comprise at least one attachment ring  112  far securing a secondary object such as a blank firing device to the flash suppressor  100 . For example, in one embodiment, an attachment ring  112  may be positioned along the body  102  between the first end portion  106  and the plurality of protrusions  104 . In a second embodiment, an attachment ring  112  may be positioned along the plurality of protrusions  104  near the second end portion  110 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 and 6 , the protrusions  104  may allow for reduced ignition of unburned gun powder exiting from the firearm during firing. The protrusions  104  may be configured in any suitable manner to dissipate gases and unburned materials exiting the barrel of the firearm. For example, the protrusions  104  may be arranged around the longitudinal axis  200  of the body  102  with a first end proximate to the second interior end  306  of the axial pathway  302  to form an exit chamber  120  extending from the mid-portion  108  to the second end portion  110  of the body  102 . 
     The exit chamber  120  forms an interior space within the body  102  that is configured to allow a fired projectile to pass through the axial pathway  302  and continue its trajectory exiting the body  102  from the second end portion  110  unabated. The exit chamber  120  may comprise any suitable shape and/or dimensions for facilitating passage of the projectile. For example, in one embodiment, the exit chamber  120  may form a chamber pathway  308  having an inner diameter at least as large as the diameter of the axial pathway  302 , wherein a center of the chamber pathway  308  is aligned, with the longitudinal axis  200 . The chamber pathway  308  may extend from the second interior end  306  of the axial pathway  302  to the second end portion  110 . 
     The body  102  may comprise any suitable number of protrusions  104 . The number of protrusions  104  may be determined according to any suitable criteria, such as the outer diameter of the body  102 , a type of firearm, a caliber of the projectile. and the like. With continued, reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , in one embodiment, the protrusions  104  may comprise flour flutes spaced equidistantly around a circumference from the longitudinal axis  200 . The protrusions  104  may be arranged around the longitudinal axis  200  such that each protrusion  104  is separated from another protrusion  104  by a channel  122  extending at least part way between the two protrusions  104 . 
     The channel  122  may comprise any suitable size and may be determined according to any suitable factors. In one embodiment, the channel  122  between protrusions may comprise a gap of between one-sixteenth and three-sixteenths of an inch. In a second embodiment, the channel  122  between each protrusion  104  may be at least one-quarter of an inch. The channel  122  may be configured in any suitable length. In one embodiment, the channel  122  may extend substantially the entire longitudinal length of the protrusions  104 . In a second embodiment, the channel  122  may extend between about fifty and ninety-five percent of the longitudinal length of the protrusions  104 . For example, the protrusions  104  may have a longitudinal length of about one and one-half inches and the channel  122  may have a longitudinal length of about one and thirteen-thirty-seconds of an inch. 
     Each flute may be curved transverse to the axial pathway  302  as each flute extends longitudinally from the mid-portion  108  to the second end portion  110  of the body  102 . For example, each flute may comprise a first sidewall  116  and a second sidewall  118  that extend outward from the chamber pathway  302  to an exterior surface of the body  102 . At least a portion of first sidewall  116  and/or the second sidewall  118  may define an arc along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the flute such that the channel  122  between a first and second flute forms an arc-shaped opening  202  exposing the chamber pathway  302  to an ambient environment surrounding the body  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the arc-shaped opening  202  may comprise any suitable shape or size. For example, the arc-shaped opening  202  may comprise a closed end  208  proximate the mid-portion  108  and an open end  210  terminating at the second end portion  110 . The closed end  208  may be configured in any suitable manner, such as having a curved radius connecting the first sidewall  116  of a first flute to the second sidewall  118  of a second flute or a substantially boxed end having squared corners. In one embodiment, the closed end  208  may comprise at least a portion of curve having a radius of between one-sixteenth and one-half of an inch. 
     The arc-shaped opening  202  may further be defined by a shape of the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118 . In one embodiment, the first and second sidewalls  116 ,  118  may comprise a corresponding arc shape such that the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118  are substantially parallel to each other between the closed end  208  and the open end  210 . For example, the first and second sidewalk  116 ,  188  may comprise an arc segment having a radius between one and one-half inches and two inches. In a second embodiment, the first and second sidewalls  116 ,  118  may comprise an arc segment having a radius between about one inch and four inches. In a third embodiment, the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118  may comprise arc lengths having different radii such that the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118  are not parallel to each other between the closed end  208  and the open end  210 . 
     The arc-shaped opening  202  may be oriented in any suitable direction. For example, the arc-shaped opening  202  may be oriented to coincide with the rifling of the firearm such that reactive forces of exiting gases act on the sidewalls of the protrusions  104  to tighten the flash suppressor  100  onto the firearm. In one embodiment, the arc-shaped opening  202  may form a downward curve when viewed from a first side. In a second embodiment, the arc-shaped opening  202  may form an upward curve when viewed from the first side. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the sidewalls of the protrusions  104  may facilitate expansion of the exiting gases, thereby decreasing the likelihood that unburned gun powder exiting the barrel will ignite due to high temperatures and/or high pressures created during the firing of the projectile. The sidewalls of the protrusions  104  may be configured in any suitable manner to allow gas expansion. For example, the first sidewall  116  of a first flute  602  and the second sidewall  118  of a second flute  604  may be tapered relative to a centerline  204  extending between the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118 . In one embodiment, the first sidewall  116  and second sidewall  118  may taper away from each other as each sidewall progresses outward from the chamber pathway  308 . 
     The taper between each sidewall and the centerline  204  may comprise any suitable amount and may be fixed along the longitudinal length of the body  102  or may vary along the longitudinal length of the body  102 . For example, the first sidewall  116  may taper from the centerline  204  by a first angle  608  and the second sidewall  118  may taper from the centerline  204  by a second angle  606 . In one embodiment, the first angle  608  and the second angle  606  may taper between three and five degrees relative to the centerline  204 . In a second embodiment, the taper of the first angle  608  and the second angle  606  may comprise an angle of up to fifteen degrees relative to the centerline  204 . 
     The first angle  608  and the second angle  606  may be equal to each or they may differ. For example, in one embodiment, the first angle  608  and the second angle  606  may each be equal to about four and a half degrees relative to the centerline  204  such that the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118  taper away from each other by combined amount of approximately nine degrees. In an alternative embodiment, the first angle  608  may be equal to about three and a half degrees and the second angle  606  may be equal to about seven degrees relative to the centerline  204  such that the first sidewall  116  and the second sidewall  118  taper away from each other by a combined amount of approximately ten and a half degrees. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the centerline  204  between pairs of protrusions  104  may be offset from a pair of bisecting centerlines running through the longitudinal axis  200 . The centerline  204  may be offset from the longitudinal axis  200  by any suitable distance and the offset may be on either side of the longitudinal axis  200 . For example, referring to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the centerline  204  may be offset to the right of the longitudinal axis  200  by a distance of about three thirty-seconds of an inch. In a second embodiment, the centerline  204  may be offset from the longitudinal axis  200  by a distance of between one-thirty-second of an inch and one-sixteenth of an inch. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , the body  102  may comprise a series of ridges or grooves  206  disposed along the exterior surface. For example, the grooves  206  may be inscribed into the outer surface of the protrusions  104 . The grooves  206  may be suitably configured to collect unburned gun powder or other debris resulting from repeated firing of the firearm. The grooves  206  may be formed on the surface of the protrusions  104  by any suitable method. For example, in one embodiment, the grooves  206  may comprise a series of circular recesses inscribed into the outer surface of the protrusions  104 . In a second embodiment, the grooves  206  may comprise a single recess inscribed into the surface of the protrusions  104  in a threaded manner. 
     In operation, the flash suppressor  100  may be screwed onto or otherwise attached to a barrel of a firearm. When a projectile is fired, the exiting projectile proceeds through the axial passageway  302  and through the chamber pathway  308 . Any exiting propellant gases and/or unburned gun powder may not immediately ignite in the evacuated exit chamber, such as due to a lack of oxygen. These gases and unburned powder then disperse outward through the arc shaped openings  202  of the channels  122 , resulting in a cooling and expansion of the gases, decreasing the likelihood of muzzle flash. Dispersal of the gases outward from the chamber pathway  308  may also decrease friction on the spinning projectile, making the bullet&#39;s trajectory more stable by decreasing the yaw of the projectile as it exits the flash suppressor  100 . 
     The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or steps between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. 
     In the foregoing specification, the technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present technology as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. 
     For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims. 
     Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.