Patent Publication Number: US-2022221243-A1

Title: Suppressor with blowout panel

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 17/114,239, entitled “SUPPRESSOR WITH BLOWOUT PANEL”, and filed on Dec. 7, 2020. Application Ser. No. 17/114,239 is a divisional application which claims priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/255,471, entitled “SUPPRESSOR WITH BLOWOUT PANEL”, and filed Jan. 23, 2019. Application Ser. No. 16/255,471 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/620,928, entitled “SUPPRESSOR WITH BLOWOUT PANEL”, and filed on Jan. 23, 2018. The entire contents of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present description relates generally to methods and systems for firearms sound suppressors adapted with a blowout panel. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Firearms utilize high pressure exhaust gases to accelerate a projectile such as a bullet. Firearms silencers (hereafter referred to as “suppressors”) can be added to the muzzle (exhaust) of a firearm to capture the high pressure exhaust gases of a given firearm. These high pressure exhaust gases are the product of burning nitrocellulose and possess significant energy that is used to accelerate the projectile. The typical exhaust gas pressure of a rifle cartridge in a full length barrel may be in the range of 7-10 ksi whereas a short barreled rifle may have exhaust gas pressures in the 10-20 ksi range. Moving at supersonic speeds through the bore, the exhaust gases provide the energy to launch the projectile and also result in the emanation of high-decibel noises typically associated with the discharge of firearms. When in action, firearms suppressors lower the kinetic energy and pressure of the propellant gases and thereby reduce the decibel level of the resultant noises. 
     Firearms suppressors are mechanical pressure reduction devices that contain a center through-hole to allow passage of the projectile. Suppressor design(s) utilize static geometry to induce pressure loss across the device by means including rapid expansion and contraction, minor losses related to inlet and outlet geometry, and induced pressure differential to divert linear flow. 
     Suppressors can be thought of as “in-line” pressure reduction devices that capture and release the high pressure gases over a time. Suppressor design approaches used to optimize firearm noise reduction include maximizing internal volume, and providing a baffled or “tortured” pathway for propellant gas egress. Each of these approaches must be balanced against the need for clear egress of the projectile, market demand for small overall suppressor size, adverse impacts on the firearm performance, adverse impacts on the operator, and constraints related to the firearm original mechanical design. 
     Baffle structures within a suppressor provide tortured pathways which act to restrain the flow of propellant gases and thereby reduce the energy signature of said gases. As a result of this function the baffle structures in a suppressor may be the portion of a suppressor that absorbs the most heat from propellant gases during firing. While the baffle structures are often positioned spaced away from an outer housing of the suppressor to minimize heat transfer from the baffle structures to the exterior surface of the suppressor, the outer housing may nonetheless be subjected to high temperatures over numerous firings of the firearm. Thus, the suppressor may be formed from a material with high heat tolerance to withstand temperatures approaching 1000° C. that are generated during firearm discharge. 
     Suppressors may be coupled to auto-loading firearms, both semi-automatic and automatic, which are configured to utilize a portion of the waste exhaust gases to operate the mechanical action of the firearms. When in operation the mechanical action of the firearm automatically ejects the spent cartridge case and emplaces a new cartridge case into the chamber of the firearms barrel. One auto-loading design traps and utilizes exhaust gases from a point along the firearms barrel. The trapped gases provide pressure against the face of a piston, which in turn triggers the mechanical auto-loading action of the firearm. The energy of the trapped exhaust gases supplies the work required to operate the mechanical piston of the firearm enabling rapid cycling of cartridges. 
     The inventors herein have recognized significant issues related to excess heat and exhaust gas pressure build-up that may arise due to the use of a suppressor on a firearm. In one example, the suppressor may experience high temperatures repeatedly at both the inner baffle structures and the outer housing. Over extended periods of time and usage, exposure to high heat may reduce the structural integrity of the suppressor with regards to withstanding the pressures and temperatures generated during firearm discharge. Degradation to the suppressor outer housing may lead to an event where pressure due to accumulation of hot exhaust gases inside the suppressor causes the suppressor to rupture. Furthermore, excessive heating of an outer housing of the suppressor may lead to a “mirage” effect that obscures the operator&#39;s vision. 
     The inventors herein have recognized that excess heat build-up in the suppressor may also result in an “afterburner” effect where unburned propellant may be immediately flashed when exposed to inner surfaces of the suppressor or secondary combustion of burned propellant may occur upon firing. The likelihood of such events is increased when a propellant load configured to burn in a longer firearm barrel is used in short barrel applications. Flashing of unburned propellant or secondary burning may both drive a continual increase in temperature of the suppressor with each firing. In addition, the nitrocellulose component of the propellant may detonate or experience rapid deflagration upon exposure to the fluctuating and excessive temperatures of the suppressor surfaces. 
     Furthermore, the suppressor may suffer undesirable pressure accumulation even when subjected to low to moderate temperatures. For example, debris may adhere to inner surfaces and accumulate in the suppressor bore, interfering with a trajectory of the projectile and restricting flow of propellant gases. As another example, ice formation during use of the suppressor in cold ambient temperatures, may similarly block the suppressor bore. Such events may result in sudden increases in pressure, e.g., greater than 20 ksi, contained within the suppressor and exert high outward forces on the suppressor outer housing. A suppressor with an outer housing that has become weakened due to extreme heating may have a diminished ability to hold pressure, resulting in an explosive rupturing of the outer housing even at a pressure that is within a designated pressure range that the suppressor is configured to withstand. 
     In one embodiment, the issues described above may be addressed by a firearms suppressor comprising an outer housing adapted with a blowout panel. The blowout panel may be an area of the outer housing configured to burst open in a manner where ejected debris and gases may be released when the suppressor reaches a threshold pressure and directed away from an operator or towards a desired direction. The blowout panel may reduce the likelihood of degradation to other areas of the suppressor or explosive release of pressure through rupturing of the outer housing of the suppressor during over pressure events. 
     By providing the suppressor with a blowout panel, pressure generated by propellant gases during firearm discharge may be vented through bursting of the blowout panel. Discharge of the firearm may proceed even after rupturing of the blowout panel albeit with reduced efficiency of noise, flash, and concussion suppression. A likelihood of explosive degradation of the suppressor or rupturing of the suppressor in an undesirable direction is thereby decreased when pressure builds within the suppressor. During occasions when prolonged firing is desirable, firearm discharge is not impeded by malfunctioning of the suppressor or degradation of the suppressor outer housing. 
     In this way, the firearms suppressor may be operable on any type of auto-loading firearms, including but not limited to machine gun applications, without adversely affecting mechanical operations according to the original firearms design. Further, the firearms suppressor may be operable without adversely impacting use of the suppressor. The utility of the suppressor may therefore be extended and more fully realized. Furthermore, the firearms suppressor may include inner components arranged in a configuration to reduce heat transfer from the inner components to the outer housing, thereby inhibiting the “mirage” effect. In addition, the suppressor may be replaced by 3D-printed, low-cost units produced at lower cost due to efficient scalable manufacturing. Other elements of the disclosed embodiments of the present subject matter are provided in detail herein. 
     It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a firearms suppressor. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the firearms suppressor. 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of the firearms suppressor. 
         FIG. 4  shows an outer housing of the firearms suppressor adapted with a first set of blowout panels. 
         FIG. 5  shows an ingress cap of the firearms suppressor adapted with a second set of blowout panels. 
         FIG. 6  shows an egress cap of the firearms suppressor adapted with a third set of blowout panels. 
         FIGS. 1-6  are shown approximately to scale although other relative dimensions may be used, if desired. The drawings may depict components directly touching one another and in direct contact with one another and/or adjacent to one another, although such positional relationships may be modified, if desired. Further, the drawings may show components spaced away from one another without intervening components there between, although such relationships again, could be modified, if desired. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description relates to systems and methods for adapting a firearms suppressor (also, suppressor) with one or more blowout panels to vent exhaust gases during over pressure events. An example multi-baffled sound suppressor is described herein. The following description relates to various embodiments of the sound suppressor as well as methods of manufacturing and using the device. Potential advantages of one or more of the example approaches described herein relate to reducing a likelihood of uncontrolled and undesirable rupturing of the suppressor leading to degradation of the suppressor and terminating the use of the suppressor. This may occur, for example, when the suppressor is subjected to excessively high pressures related to blockages within the suppressor bore through which exhaust gases and debris may be accelerated. In another example, surfaces of the suppressor may degrade over time due to repeated exposure to high temperatures associated with firearms discharge, resulting in loss of structural integrity upon experiencing relatively high pressures. 
     By adapting walls of the suppressor with blowout panels, in particular within an outer shell of the suppressor, the blowout panels may be configured to burst when pressure in the suppressor approaches a threshold. Bursting of the blowout panels allows accumulated pressure to dissipate in a desired direction without affecting the continued usage of the suppressor. Aspects of the suppressor and blowout panels, including function and positioning, are explained herein. 
     An exemplary suppressor in shown in  FIG. 1  from an isometric perspective, comprising a rigid outer housing that surrounds a projectile pathway, or suppressor bore, traversing a length of the suppressor. An exploded view of the suppressor is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , revealing inner components of the suppressor including baffles and an inner sleeve arranged along the length of the suppressor. A length-wise cross-section of the suppressor is shown in  FIG. 3 , depicting a relative positioning of the inner components of the suppressor. A first set of one or more blowout panels, adapted to alleviate excess pressure accumulation in the suppressor, may be disposed in an outer housing of the suppressor, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Additionally or alternatively, blowout panels of different shapes, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , may be positioned at an ingress cap and an egress cap of the suppressor. 
     Further,  FIGS. 1-6  show the relative positioning of various components of the suppressor assembly. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such components may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, components shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components lying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact or physically contacting one another. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. 
     As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being triangular, helical, straight, planar, curved, rounded, spiral, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example. For purposes of discussion,  FIGS. 1-6  will be described collectively. Elements that are common between figures will be similarly numbered and will not be re-introduced. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment  100  of a suppressor  106  for firearms is shown. Suppressor  106  may be a cylinder with an outer housing  118  that forms a smooth outer surface of suppressor  106 , the outer housing  118  formed from a rigid, durable material with high heat tolerance. A set of reference axes  101  is provided for comparison of views shown, indicating a y-axis, an x-axis, and a z-axis. In some examples, the y-axis may be parallel with a vertical direction, the x-axis parallel with a horizontal direction, and the z-axis parallel with a transverse direction. Suppressor  106  has a central axis  102  and a direction of projectile travel through a length  103  of suppressor  106 , the length being coaxial with the central axis  102 , is indicated by arrow  104 . The length  103  of suppressor  106  is greater than a diameter  105  of suppressor  106  and a cross-section of suppressor  106 , taken along the x-y plane, may be circular while a cross-section taken along the z-y plane (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be rectangular. Components of suppressor  106  will be described approximately in order along the projectile path. As such, the positioning of elements will be defined with respect to the projectile path of suppressor  106 . Thus, an element in the projectile path of a reference point may be referred to as being downstream of the reference point while an element before a reference point in the projectile path may be referred to as being upstream of the said reference point. 
     A projectile, such as a bullet, may enter suppressor  106  at an inlet  108  of an ingress cap  110 . The inlet  108  may be an entry point of an inner bore of suppressor  106 , the bore defining the path of projectile travel and extending across the length  103  of suppressor  106 , along the central axis  102 . The ingress cap  110  may be an upstream wall of suppressor  106 , defining an extreme upstream end of suppressor  106  and assisting in sealing the inner components of suppressor  106  within ingress cap  110  and other outer surfaces. For example, an outer perimeter  107  of the ingress cap  110  may be circular with a diameter matching the diameter  105  of suppressor  106 , allowing the ingress cap  110  to be sealingly coupled to the suppressor  106  at an upstream edge  109  of suppressor  106 . The inlet  108  may be a circular aperture centered about a geometric center of the ingress cap  110 , the geometric center aligned with the central axis  102 . The ingress cap is a relatively thin disk, as shown in  FIG. 5 , with a thickness  509  defined along the z-axis and with an annular cross-section, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis  102 . An upstream surface  130  of the ingress cap  110  is planar and arranged perpendicular to the central axis  102  so that the inlet  108  is centered about the central axis  102 . 
     The inlet  108  may be surrounded by a projection  112  that is coupled to a downstream surface (e.g. a downstream surface  504  shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the ingress cap  110  and extends in a downstream direction away from ingress cap  110 . The projection  112  is depicted in greater detail in  FIG. 5  and discussed further below. Note that the direction of projectile travel is reversed in  FIG. 5  relative to  FIG. 1 , as indicated by arrow  104 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , the projection  112  is a hollow cylinder with an annular cross-section when taken along the x-y plane. A thickness (e.g., a thickness  506  shown in  FIG. 5 ), of the projection  112 , taken in a radial direction relative to the central axis  102  may be similar to or greater than the thickness of the ingress cap  110 . An inner diameter  132  of the projection  112  may be similar to a diameter of the inlet  108 . The projection  112  may have a smooth outer surface and a threaded inner surface (e.g., outer surface  508  and inner surface  510  shown in  FIG. 5 ). The threading of the inner surface  510  may mate to threading on a barrel end of a firearm, providing a mechanism for coupling suppressor  106  to the firearm. The projection  112  may extend a distance (e.g., distance  512  shown in  FIG. 5 ) into an interior of suppressor  106  with a free downstream end (e.g., a downstream end  514  of the projection  112  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 ) that is not coupled to another component. Although not coupled, the downstream end  514  of the projection  112  may be in contact with an optional first baffle. 
     A first baffle  202  is shown in an exploded view  200  of suppressor  106  in  FIG. 2 , immediately downstream of the downstream end  514  of the projection  112 , arranged in face-sharing contact with a downstream surface of the end of the projection  112 . In other words, a surface of the downstream end  514  of the projection  112 , the surface co-planar with the x-y plane, is in direct contact with an upstream surface  203  of the first baffle  202 . The first baffle  202  may be a thin disc, a thickness of the first baffle  202  defined along the z-axis, with a central aperture that is aligned with the central axis  102 , encircling both the suppressor bore and the inlet  108  but has a smaller diameter than the inlet  108  (e.g., smaller than the inner diameter  132  of the projection  112 ). By having a narrower central aperture than both the inlet  108  and inner diameter of the projection  112 , the first baffle  202  may act as a barrier to further insertion of a firearm barrel end. For example, the barrel end, upon insertion into the projection  112  by rotating suppressor  106  so that the threading along the inner surface of the projection  112  engages with threading on the barrel end, may come into contact with the first baffle  202 , halting any further rotation of suppressor  106  and further extension of the barrel end into the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110 . It will be appreciated that while the first baffle is shown in  FIG. 2 , other examples of suppressor  106  may not include the first baffle  202 . 
     The first baffle  202  may be held in place by contact with the projection  112  at the upstream surface  203  and contact with a first end  206  of an inner sleeve  204 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , at a downstream surface of the first baffle  202 , the downstream surface opposite of the upstream surface  203 . In other words, the first baffle  202  may be sandwiched between the projection  112  and the inner sleeve  204 . The inner sleeve  204  may be an elongate hollow cylinder with a relatively thin shell, a thickness of the inner sleeve  204  define along the radial direction relative to the central axis  102 , aligned longitudinally with the central axis  102 , and positioned between the ingress cap  110  and an egress cap  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The inner sleeve  204  may have an outer diameter  220  that is equal to an outer diameter of the first baffle  202  and an outer diameter of the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110 . The first end  206  of the inner sleeve  204  may comprise a set of cut-outs  208  that are rectangular in shape and constitute portions of the inner sleeve  204  that have been removed at the first end  206 , forming openings at the first end  206  of the inner sleeve  204 . 
     The first end  206  of the inner sleeve  204  is an upstream end of the inner sleeve  204  and thus the set of cut-outs  208  are positioned proximate to the upstream edge  109  of suppressor  106 , immediately downstream of the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110 , when the inner sleeve  204  is inserted into the outer housing  118  of the suppressor  106 . The set of cut-outs  208  may extend downstream from the first end  206  of the inner sleeve  204 . 
     A length  222  of the inner sleeve  204 , defined along the central axis  102 , may be shorter than the length  103  of suppressor  106 , allowing the inner sleeve  204  to fit between the downstream end of the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110  and the egress cap  114 . When sandwiched between the ingress cap  110  and egress cap  114 , a second end  210  of the inner sleeve  204  may seal against the egress cap  114  but the set of cut-outs  208  provide openings at the first end  206  proximate to the inlet  108  of suppressor  106 , the set of cut-outs  208  spaced away from the ingress cap  110  by the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110 . The set of cut-outs  208  fluidly couples an inner chamber  304  of the inner sleeve  204  to an outer chamber  306  formed between an outer surface of the inner sleeve  204  and an inner surface of the outer housing  118  of the suppressor  106 , the inner chamber  304  and the outer chamber  306  shown in  FIG. 3 . The outer chamber  306  may extend along the entire length  103  of suppressor  106 . During firearm discharge, exhaust gases and debris accelerating into the suppressor  106  through the inlet  108  may be diverted through the set of cut-outs  208  radially outwards and away from the central axis  102  as a projectile traverses the central axis  102  along the bore of suppressor  106 . This may reduce an accumulation of debris within the suppressor bore by directing the debris away from the projectile path before the debris travels downstream beyond the first end  206  of the inner sleeve  204 . 
     A downstream surface, the downstream surface co-planar with the x-y plane, of the second end  210  of the inner sleeve  204  may be in face-sharing contact with an upstream surface  240  of the egress cap  114 . The egress cap  114  is shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 , and depicted in greater detail in  FIG. 6 . Arranged at a downstream end of suppressor  106 , and opposite of the ingress cap  110 , the egress cap  114  may define a most downstream wall of suppressor  106 . The egress cap  114  is a relatively thin disk with an annular cross-section, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis  102 , with planar upstream and downstream surfaces that are perpendicular to the central axis and a central aperture  604 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , that is centered about the central axis  102 . A diameter  224  of the egress cap  114 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be similar to the diameter  105  of the ingress cap  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1  (and to the diameter of the outer housing  18  of suppressor  106 ). The central aperture  604  of the egress cap  114  may also be an outlet of suppressor  106 . Similar to the ingress cap  110 , the egress cap  114  may assist in sealing inner components of suppressor  106  between the ingress cap  110 , the egress cap  114  and the outer housing  118 . 
     The central aperture  604 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , of the egress cap  114  may be narrower in diameter  606  than the diameter  132  of the inlet  108  (also the inner diameter of the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110 ) and similar to the diameter of the central aperture of the first baffle  202 . The diameter  606  of the central aperture  604  of the egress cap  114  may be similar to and aligned along the central axis  102  with central apertures  214  of baffles  212 , arranged within the inner chamber  304  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the inner sleeve  204 . Thus the projectile path, or suppressor bore, is encircled by the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110 , the central aperture of the first baffle  202 , the central apertures  214  of the baffles  212 , and the central aperture  604  of the egress cap  114 . By adapting the central aperture  604  of the egress cap  114  to be narrower than the diameter  132  of the inlet  108  of suppressor  106 , particulate matter released during firearm discharge that is propelled through the suppressor bore may be less likely to exit suppressor  106 . The narrower central aperture  604  of the egress cap  114  may increase a portion of the particulate matter that is not aligned with the central aperture  604 , instead striking the upstream surface  240  of the egress cap  114  and remaining trapped within suppressor  106 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a length-wise cross-section  300  of suppressor  106  is shown, the cross-section  300  taken along the z-y plane. The cross-section  300  shows a positioning of the first baffle  202  in face-sharing contact with the downstream end, e.g., the downstream end  514  shown in  FIG. 5 . A first chamber  318 , disposed downstream of the first baffle  202  and upstream of the baffles  212  is included within the inner chamber  304  of the inner sleeve  204 . The inner chamber  304  extends from the first baffle  202 , along the central axis  102 , to the egress cap  114  and includes the baffles  212  arranged aligned along the central axis  102 , each baffle of the baffles  212  spaced evenly apart from adjacent baffles  212 . 
     The baffles  212  are similar in geometry to the first baffle  202 , configured as thin disks with planar upstream and downstream surfaces that are arranged perpendicular to the central axis  102 . Outer diameters  303  of the baffles  212  may be narrower than the outer diameter of the first baffle  202  and similar to an inner diameter of the inner sleeve  204  so that the baffles fit inside the inner sleeve  204 . In other words, the outer diameters  303  of the baffles  212  may be the same as an inner diameter of the inner sleeve  204 . Outer edges of the baffles  212  are in contact with an inner surface  308  of the inner sleeve  204  and the baffles  212  are spaced apart from one another, forming baffle chambers  216  between each of the baffles  212 . 
     The inner components of suppressor  106 , including the first baffle  202 , the inner sleeve  204 , and the baffles  212 , may be formed from a material that readily absorbs heat, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic, or a composite. Heat from high pressure exhaust gases propelling the projectile along the projectile path is primarily absorbed by the baffles  212  but also by the inner sleeve  204 . The combination of the inner sleeve  204  adapted with the set of cut-outs  208  at the upstream end and baffles  212  allows pressure generated during firearm discharge to be dissipated by channeling exhaust gases and debris out of the first chamber  318  through the set of cut-outs  208  from the inner chamber  304  of the inner sleeve  204  to the outer chamber between the outer surface of the inner sleeve  204  and the inner surface of the outer housing  118 . Exhaust gas energy is also reduced via heat exchange with the baffles  212 . For containment of the pressure and exhaust gases formed during firing, the inner components of suppressor  106  may be surrounded by the outer housing  118 . 
     The outer housing  118  may be a hollow cylindrical shell, aligned longitudinally with and centered about the central axis  102 . An inner diameter  305  of the outer housing  118  is sufficiently wide to accommodate insertion of the inner sleeve  204  so that the outer housing  118  circumferentially surrounds the inner sleeve  204  while allowing an outer surface  309  of the inner sleeve  204  to be spaced away from an inner surface  307  of the outer housing  118 . A space between the outer surface  309  of the inner sleeve  204  and the inner surface  307  of the outer housing  118  forms the outer chamber  306 . The length of the outer housing  118  is the length  103  of suppressor  106 . 
     The inner diameter  305  of the outer housing  118  may be the same as the outer diameters of the ingress cap  110  and the egress cap  114 , e.g., the diameter  224  of the egress cap  144  shown in  FIG. 2 . In this way, the ingress cap  110  and the egress cap  114  may fit within the outer housing  118  so that outer edges of the ingress cap  110  (e.g., the outer edge  516  of  FIG. 5 ) and the egress cap  114  (e.g., the outer edge  610  of  FIG. 6 ) contact the inner surface  307  of the outer housing  118 . A first, upstream end  320  of the outer housing  118  is coupled to the ingress cap  110  and a second, downstream end  322  is coupled to the egress cap  114 . In one example, the ingress cap  110  and egress cap  114  may be attached to the outer housing  118  by adapting the ingress cap  110  and egress cap  114  with threading that mates to threading disposed on the inner surface  307  of the outer housing  118  at the first and second ends  320 ,  322 . In another example, the ingress cap  110  and egress cap  114  may be welded to the first and second ends  320 ,  322  of the outer housing  118 . Alternatively, suppressor  106  may be printed by a 3-D printer as a unitary, continuous structure. 
     The outer chamber  306  circumferentially surrounds the inner chamber  304 , forming a space around the inner sleeve  204 , between the inner sleeve  204  and the outer housing  118  of suppressor  106 . A cross-section of the outer chamber  306  taken along the x-y plane may be annular and centered about the central axis  102 . The outer chamber  306  may have a longer length  310  than a length  312  of the inner chamber  304 . The outer chamber  306  may provide a buffer zone that decreases heat transfer from the baffles  212  and the inner sleeve  204  to the outer housing  118 , thereby reducing a mirage effect resulting from heating of the outer housing  118  and decreasing emission of particulate matter from the outlet of suppressor  106 , e.g., the central aperture  604  of the egress cap  114  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, the inner components of suppressor  106  aid in reducing a velocity of exhaust gases travelling through suppressor  106 , thereby dampening noise associated with firearm discharge. 
     For example, upon firing, the projectile may travel in the direction indicated by arrow  104  into the inlet  108  of suppressor  106 . The projectile accelerates through the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110  and enters the first chamber of the inner sleeve  204 . High pressure exhaust gases accompany the projectile and, upon reaching the first chamber, at least a portion of the gases may be diverted through the set of cut-outs  208  in a radially outwards direction, away from the central axis  102 . A velocity of the diverted gases may be retarded due to a non-linear flow of the diverted gases, relative to a portion of the gases that are not diverted and continue travelling through the inner sleeve  204 . As a result, high intensity sound waves emanating from suppressor  106  are suppressed. 
     A remaining portion of the exhaust gases may be entrained along the central axis  102  as the projectile proceeds to pass through each central aperture of the central apertures  214  of the baffles  212  along the length  312  of the inner chamber  304  until the projectile reaches the central aperture of the egress cap  114  and exits suppressor  106  along a linear trajectory. The exhaust gases flowing through the inner sleeve  204  may encounter surfaces of one or more of the baffles  212 , with less and less of the gases flowing the central apertures  214  of each progressively more downstream baffle. When the gases strike the surfaces of the baffles  212 , the gases are deflected from a flow path through the inner sleeve  204 , creating turbulence and decreasing the velocity of the gases as well as any particulate matter generated during projectile discharge. 
     The exhaust gases may be hot, heating the surfaces of the inner sleeve  204  and baffles  212 . Convectional transfer of heat from the inner sleeve  204  to the outer housing  118  is reduced by positioning the outer chamber  306  around the inner sleeve  204 . Thus, deceleration of exhaust gases through suppressor  106  dampens sounds and positioning of the outer chamber  306  around the inner sleeve  204  provides an insulating layer of air that reduces heating of the outer housing  118  of suppressor  106 . 
     It will be appreciated that suppressor  106  is a nonlimiting example of a firearms suppressor and while the baffles  212  are depicted as circular disks, other examples of the baffles may include square, triangular, hexagonal, and other geometries. Similarly, the set of cut-outs  208  of the inner sleeve  204  may have alternate shapes other than rectangles and the number of cut-outs in the set of cut-outs  208 , the number of the baffles  212 , the spacing of the baffles  212 , and the geometry of the inner sleeve  204  may be varied without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, other examples of suppressor  106  may deviate from a cylindrical outer geometry, instead having a cross-section that may be square, triangular, oval, etc. 
     Outer components of suppressor  106 , including outer housing  118 , the ingress cap  110 , and the egress cap  114 , may be formed from similar materials as the inner components of suppressor  106 , such as stainless steel, ceramic, a composite, etc. but rated to a higher tolerance of heat and pressure. Although the outer components may be configured to withstand exhaust gas pressures of up to 20 ksi, repeated exposure to high temperatures, in spite of heat absorption by the baffles  212  and spacing away of the inner sleeve  204  to minimize heat transfer, may degrade the tensile strength of the outer components over time. Degradation of the outer components may result in random and undesirable rupturing of the outer components. In addition, pressure may accumulate beyond tolerance levels if the projectile pathway is impeded by debris or, in cold ambient conditions, ice formation, similarly resulting in uncontrolled eruption of suppressor  106 . 
     To reduce the likelihood of explosive malfunction, the outer components may be configured with blowout panels. An example of the outer housing  118  adapted with a set of first set of blowout panels  302  is shown in  FIG. 3  and depicted in greater detail in a perspective view  400  of the outer housing  118  of suppressor  106  in  FIG. 4 . Note that the alignment of the outer housing  118  along the central axis  102  is reversed in  FIG. 4  with respect to  FIG. 3 . The first set of blowout panels  302  may be rectangular recesses in the inner surface  307  of the outer housing  118 , proximal to the second end  322  of the outer housing  118  but spaced away from the second end  322 . A distance  402  by which the first set of blowout panels  302  are spaced away from the second end  322  of the outer housing  118  is shorter than a distance  404  by which the first set of blowout panels  302  are spaced away from the first end  320 . 
     The first set of blowout panels  302  may be evenly spaced apart around a circumference of the inner surface of the outer housing  118 . For example, two panels of the first set of blowout panels  302  are shown in  FIG. 3 , arranged at opposite sides of the outer housing  118 . Each blowout panel of the first set of blowout panels  302  may extend into a portion of a thickness  406  of the outer housing  118  by an amount between 10-90% of the thickness  406 , depending on the material from which the first set of blowout panels  302  are formed and explained further below. Additionally or alternatively, a second set of blowout panels  502  may be arranged in the ingress cap  110  as shown in a perspective view  500  of the ingress cap  110  in  FIG. 5 . 
     The second set of blowout panels  502  may be circular recesses in the inner, downstream surface  504  of the ingress cap  110 . A diameter  503  of each of the second set of blowout panels  502  may be smaller than a distance  505  between the projection  112  and an outer edge  516  of the ingress cap  110 . The second set of blowout panels  502  may be evenly spaced apart from one another around a circumference of the ingress cap  110 , arranged around and spaced away from the projection  112  of the ingress cap  110  and also spaced away from the outer edge  516  of the ingress cap  110 . Similar to the first set of blowout panels  302 , the second set of blowout panels  502  may extend into a portion of the thickness  509  of the ingress cap  110  by an amount such as 10-90% of the thickness  509 . 
     A third set of blowout panels  602 , shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 , may be similarly shaped as the second set of blowout panels  502 , also configured as circular recesses in an inner, upstream surface of the egress cap  114 . The third set of blowout panels  602  are shown in greater detail in a perspective view  600  of the egress cap  114  in  FIG. 6 . The third set of blowout panels  602  may be evenly spaced apart from one another, arranged around the central aperture  604 . Each panel of the third set of blowout panels  602  may be spaced a first distance  608  way from an outer edge  610  of the egress cap  114  and spaced a second distance  612  away from the central aperture  604 . The second distance  612  may be greater than the first distance  608 . 
     The egress cap  114  may have a thickness  616 , defined along the central axis  102 . The third set of blowout panels  602  may extend into at least a portion of the thickness  616  of the egress cap  114 , from the upstream surface  240  in the downstream direction. The extension of the third set of blowout panels  602  may be from 0-90% of the thickness  616  of the egress cap  114 . 
     It will be appreciated that in the examples depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 , while showing the first set of blowout panels  302  as two rectangular panels, the second set of blowout panels  502  as three circular panels, and the third set of blowout panels  602  as four circular panels, are nonlimiting examples of blowout panels arranged in the outer housing  118 , ingress cap  110 , and egress cap  114 . Other examples may include variations in the shapes of the each set of blowout panels, the number of panels in each set of blowout panels, the sizes of the panels, and orientation of the panels relative to the surface in which the blowout panels may be disposed. For example, the first set of blowout panels  302  may be arranged at a midpoint between the upstream end and the downstream end of the suppressor  106  instead of the downstream end, or comprise one, three, or four panels, or be circular in shape. Furthermore, the suppressor  106  may have any combination of the first, second, and third set of blowout panels  302 ,  502 ,  602 . In one example, the suppressor  106  may include the first set of blowout panels  302  and the third set of blowout panels  602 . In another example, the suppressor  106  may be configured with the second and third sets of blowout panels  502 ,  602 , but not the first set of blowout panels  302 . It will be appreciated that the suppressor may be adapted with different configurations and combinations of the blowout panels without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As described above, the first, second, and third sets of blowout panels  302 ,  502 ,  602  (collectively, the blowout panels herein), may be simply regions where the material from which the outer components of suppressor  106 , such as the outer housing  118 , the ingress cap  110  and the egress cap  114 , are formed is thinner, thus lowering a resistance of the panels to outward (e.g., radially away from the central axis  102 ) deformation and rupture. In other words, the blowout panels may have lower tensile strengths than the material surrounding the blowout panels. For example, when pressures inside the suppressor approach a threshold, such as 10 ksi for a full length barrel or 20 ksi for a short barrel firearm, the thinner blowout panels rupture and release the accumulated pressure. The likelihood of other areas of the suppressor rupturing upon exposure to high pressure is thus reduced and an operator may continue firing the firearm coupled to the suppressor without adversely affect firing capability. However, an effectiveness of the suppressor, with respect to suppression of noise, flash, and concussion, may be reduced. 
     Variations in implementation of the blowout panels are possible. As an alternative to forming thinner panels in the surfaces of the outer housing and/or the ingress and egress caps, the blowout panels may be formed from a lower density material during a printing process on a 3-D printer with a same thickness as the surface in which it is disposed. For example, the first set of blowout panels  302 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be of an equal thickness as the thickness  406  of the outer housing  118 . The first set of blowout panels  302  may be securely coupled to and framed by the material of the outer housing  118 , such as metal or a composite, but formed from a different material, such as a plastic or a low density composite. The lower density material of the blowout panels has a lower tensile strength than the higher density material of the outer components of the suppressor and thus may be more prone to breaching during increases in pressure. As another example, the blowout panels may be holes extending entirely through the surfaces of the outer housing and/or front and egress caps. Plugs with a diameter similar to the holes, may be installed in the holes either by pressing the plugs or by adapting the surfaces of the plugs and the edges of the holes with threading configured to couple with one another when the plugs are rotated in contact with the edges of the holes. The plugs may be pressed or threaded into the holes from an outside or inside (e.g., exterior or interior) of the suppressor. If installed from the inside, mechanical lips may be disposed in the holes to retain a position of the plugs until an inner pressure of the suppressor rises above the threshold level. 
     Furthermore, to control a direction of release of exhaust gases and particulate material such as debris, primer, powder residue, lead shavings, etc., the suppressor may be adapted with containment structures coupled to an exterior surface of the suppressor surrounding each of the blowout panels. For example, small cages may be attached or printed into the suppressor to trap particulate matter escaping through the blowout panels. As another example, shrouds may be configured to externally surround the blowout panels to channel exhaust gases and particulate material towards a desired direction. Equipment or persons within a certain vicinity of the firearm may be thus be shielded from forcible contact from particulate matter and exhaust gases released from the blowout panels when the blowout panels burst. 
     In this way, a firearms suppressor may be used to dampen noises produced during projectile discharge. The suppressor bore may extend through central apertures of a plurality of baffles, the plurality of baffles spaced apart from one another and aligned along a central axis of the suppressor. The baffles may be enclosed by an inner sleeve of the suppressor, the inner sleeve inserted into an outer housing and spaced away from the outer housing by a chamber surrounding the inner sleeve that decreases heat transfer from the plurality of baffles and inner sleeve to the outer housing. As a result, reduction of a mirage effect, produced by heating of the outer housing and leading to obscuring of an operator&#39;s vision, may be achieved. Additionally, outer components of the suppressor, such as the outer housing, an ingress cap and an egress cap, may include blowout panels. The blowout panels may be sections in each of the outer components where a material of the blowout panel is weaker than surrounding material, either by configuring the blowout panels to be thinner than surrounding material or formed from a lower density material than surrounding material. Alternatively, the blowout panels may be apertures adapted with plugs. When an inner pressure of the suppressor rises above a threshold, due to, for example, a blockage in the suppressor bore, the blowout panels may burst (or the plugs may be ejected), alleviating the pressure accumulated within the suppressor and reducing a likelihood of degradation of the suppressor components that may adversely affect the operator and continued operation of the firearms suppressor. 
     It will be understood that the figures are provided solely for illustrative purposes and the embodiments depicted are not to be viewed in a limiting sense. From the above description, it can be understood that the sound suppressor and/or combination of the sound suppressor and firearm disclosed herein and the methods of making them have several advantages, such as: (1) they reduce the time required to achieve a pressure reduction of the exhaust gases of the firearm thereby avoiding mechanical malfunction of auto-loading firearms; (2) they reduce the mirage effect by minimizing the thermal transfer from the baffle exhaust gas tubes to the outer wall of the suppressor; (3) they improve accuracy and reliability; (4) they aid in the dissipation of heat and reduce the tendency of the suppressor to overheat; (5) they reduce the sound signature of the firearm during operation; and (6) they can be manufactured reliably and predictably with desirable characteristics in an economical manner. 
     It is further understood that the firearm sound suppressor described and illustrated herein represents only example embodiments. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and additions can be made to the firearm sound suppressor without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, the firearm sound suppressor could be constructed from lightweight and durable materials not described. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and then proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding the plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments, “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-language equivalents to the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. Are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or a particular positional order on their objects. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. 
     It will be appreciated that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof. 
     In one representation, a suppressor is provided formed of a unitary material, such as via laser metal sintering or another related process such as 3D printing. The suppressor may include one or more blowout panels configured to dissipate pressure accumulation within the suppressor. For example, to mitigate the issues related to a blockage in the suppressor that hinders release of exhaust gases or degradation of outer containment components of the suppressor, blowout panels may be arranged in an outer housing, an ingress cap and/or egress cap of the suppressor. In one example, the blowout panels may be configured to be less structurally resistant to forces exerted against the blowout panels than a material surrounding the blowout panels. The blowout panels may rupture and dissipate pressure building within the suppressor before the pressure reaches a level that may result in degradation and malfunction of the suppressor. 
     In one embodiment, a suppressor includes a set of inner components including an inner sleeve and a plurality of baffles and a set of outer components including an outer housing, an ingress cap at a first end of the outer housing, an egress cap at a second end of the outer housing, the second end opposite of the first end, and one or more blowout panels disposed in one or more surfaces of the set of outer components, wherein the set of inner components are entirely enclosed within the set of outer components. In a first example of the suppressor, the blowout panels have a lower pressure tolerance than a material surrounding the blowout panels. A second example of the suppressor optionally includes the first example, and further includes wherein the blowout panels are defined by a structural irregularity in metal forming walls of the outer components of the suppressor. A third example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first and second examples, and further includes, wherein the blowout panels are arranged in an inner surface of the outer housing. A fourth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through third examples, and further includes, wherein the blowout panels are arranged in a downstream surface of the ingress cap. A fifth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through fourth examples, and further includes, wherein the blowout panels are arranged in an upstream surface of the egress cap. A sixth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through fifth examples, and further includes, wherein the blowout panels are defined by at least one frangible narrowing of thickness relative to a material surrounding the blowout panels. A seventh example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through sixth examples, and further includes, wherein the blowout panels are formed from a lower density material than the outer housing, ingress cap, and egress cap. An eighth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through seventh examples, and further includes, a projectile pathway extending from an inlet in the ingress cap to an outlet in the egress cap along a central axis of the suppressor. A ninth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through eighth examples, and further includes, wherein the ingress cap includes a projection encircling the inlet and extending from a downstream surface of the ingress cap in a downstream direction and wherein an inner surface of the projection is adapted with threading. A tenth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through ninth examples, and further includes, wherein the inner sleeve extends from the projection of the ingress cap to the egress cap and is circumferentially surrounded by the outer housing along an entire length of the inner sleeve, the length parallel with the central axis of the suppressor. An eleventh example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through tenth examples, and further includes, wherein the inner sleeve is spaced away from an inner surface of the outer housing along the entire length of the inner sleeve. A twelfth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through eleventh examples, and further includes, wherein an upstream end of the inner sleeve proximate to the ingress cap includes a set of cut-outs that extend through a thickness of a wall of the inner sleeve. A thirteenth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through twelfth examples, and further includes, wherein the set of cut-outs in the upstream end of the inner sleeve couples an inner chamber of the inner sleeve to an outer chamber formed between an outer surface of the inner sleeve and an inner surface of the outer housing. A fourteenth example of the suppressor optionally includes one or more of the first through thirteenth examples, and further includes, wherein baffles are positioned inside the inner sleeve spaced apart from one another and aligned along a length of the inner sleeve so that spaces between the baffles form baffle chambers. 
     In another embodiment, a suppressor includes a housing enclosing an inner sleeve and a plurality of baffles, the housing including one or more blowout regions. In a first example of the suppressor, the blowout regions are holes into which plugs are installed, the plugs configured to be expelled when an inner pressure of the suppressor rises above a threshold level. A second example of the suppressor optionally includes the first example, and further includes, wherein cages are coupled to outer surfaces of the housing, the cages surrounding the blowout regions and configured to trap particulate matter ejected through the blowout regions upon rupturing of the blowout regions. 
     In another embodiment, a firearms system includes a suppressor adapted with blowout panels in surfaces of an outer housing of the suppressor, the blowout panels configured to be first-to-degrade regions to relieve excess pressure. In a first example of the firearms system, the suppressor is formed from a single, unitary material and configured to be 3D-printable. 
     It should be appreciated that while the suppressor may be unitary in its construction, and thus in a sense virtually all of its components could be said to be in contact with one another, the terms used herein are used to refer to a more proper understanding of the term that is not so broad as to mean simply that the various parts are connected or contacting through a circuitous route because a single unitary material forms the suppressor. 
     The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.