Abstract:
The present invention pertains in general to the suppression of firearm and weapon systems to mitigate audible, visual and temperature profiles when in use. Embodiments of the invention include the use of a baffle system surrounded by a sleeve, further surrounded by an outer housing. The combination of these elements create a multi-volume device providing increased expansion volume within the device to mitigate firearm signature related to the expansion of gasses exiting the muzzle-end of a firearm

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit to provisional patent application No. 62/279,801, entitled “Firearm Suppression Device”, filed Jan. 17, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains in general to the suppression of firearm and weapon systems to mitigate audible, visual and temperature profiles when in use. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Firearms, typically understood as a barreled weapon designed to launch a projectile toward an intended target have developed over centuries. Many developments have been made over the ages, but firearms have typically utilized the use of an explosive charge to create a rapidly expanding, controlled and directed volume of gas to propel a projectile out of the end of a barrel at high velocities. 
         [0004]    A large factor in the creation of sound when discharging a firearm, often referred to as a report, is due to the escape and rapid and uncontrolled expansion of the explosive charge out of the muzzle-end wherein the projectile exits the firearm. This sound surrounding the escape of the rapidly expanding gas out of the muzzle-end of a firearm is often referred to as muzzle-blast. 
         [0005]    Due to the explosive nature of the charge driving the projectile, the muzzle-blast is also often accompanied with muzzle-flash. Muzzle-flash is the visible light that exits the firearm from the muzzle-end associated with an explosive charge originating from within the firearm. 
         [0006]    In many situations it is desirable to mask, muffle, suppress or otherwise mitigate the muzzle-blast and muzzle-flash of a firearm during use. The mitigation or suppression of these factors of a firearm may provide the operator with an increased tactical advantage and when operating in a covert manner. Some of the advantages associated with this increased tactical advantage over an intended target or enemy due to the suppression of the muzzle-blast include—increased difficulty in identifying the location of the firearm, masking the direction from which the firearm is firing, the reduction of noise levels to safe hearing levels, and the altering of a characteristic noise signature, which may indicate the distance, type or specific model of weapon. 
         [0007]    A common solution to mitigate or suppress the muzzle-blast and/or muzzle-flash of a weapon surrounds the use of a suppressor, sometimes referred to as a “silencer” or “can,” affixed to the muzzle-end of a weapon to provide an intermediate expansion volume for rapidly expanding gasses related to the firing of the weapon. This intermediate expansion volume allows the control of the muzzle-blast and muzzle-flash within an enclosed space prior to exiting the suppressor. This intermediate expansion volume also allows controlled expansion of gasses related to the explosive charge exiting the muzzle of the weapon. By the time the rapidly expanding gas from the explosive charge reaches the ambient environment, after passing through the intermediate expansion volume, the differential pressure between the explosive charge related gasses and the ambient air is decreased. A decreased differential pressure, results in a lesser audible signature when such gasses related to the explosive charge rapidly expand in the ambient air. The visual signature related to muzzle-blast and muzzle-flash is also decreased to a lesser level due to the intermediate expansion volume. This intermediate expansion volume is intended to suppress the audible and visual signatures, herein collectively referred to as “firearm signature,” to levels offering increased tactical advantages. 
         [0008]    The suppression of firearm signatures typically involves a device attached to the muzzle-end of a firearm to provide intermediate expansion volume and suppression of firearm signature with minimal or no impedance upon the trajectory or flight path of the projectile exiting the muzzle of the firearm. 
         [0009]    A common problem with the use of suppressors in the field of firearm suppressors surround heat retained by the suppressor as well as an undesired phenomenon known as blowback. Blowback may occur with the use of a suppressor, through which rapidly expanding gasses enter a restricted volume of the suppressor and cannot escape entirely through an aperture provided for the flight path of a projectile or other venting apertures. As a result, a portion of the rapidly expanding gasses travel back down the barrel of the firearm back toward the operator of the firearm. Dependent upon the style of weapon, blowback gasses may exit the weapon through parts of a weapon including an ejection port, trigger assembly, bolt, receiver or charging handle area such as with a firearm disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,598 to Schuetz, herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. The effects of blowback include an increased rate of carbon deposits within the working mechanisms of the firearm, increased operating pressure within a weapon, increased wear and tear of a weapon, and a decrease in reliability of a weapon. Furthermore, blowback sometimes results in gasses exiting the weapon through previously discussed parts of the weapon after travelling back from the muzzle-end of the firearm and toward the operator. This blowback sometimes exits the weapon toward an operator&#39;s face and adversely affects the operators vision or respiratory function, endangering the operator. 
         [0010]    Another common problem surrounding the use of existing suppressor devices include factors that negatively affect an operator&#39;s interaction with the weapon. The attachment of a metallic suppressor device increases the weight of a weapon in an asymmetric manner that affects the operator&#39;s ability to use the weapon in a manner consistent with normal use. A weapon with increased weight affixed to the muzzle-end, or firing-end, of the weapon is no longer balanced as it would be in normal operation without the affixed suppressor. The can cause inconsistent firing accuracy as well as accelerated fatigue of the weapon operator. 
         [0011]    Yet another problem associated with the use of existing suppressor devices is the increased operating temperatures of the exposed housing of the suppressor and other heat conductive parts of a firearm such as metal rails. In some scenarios, the operating temperature of a suppressor may exceed temperatures of 426° C. (800° F.). A rail, or Picatinny rail, and other parts of a firearm may be appreciated to include, for example, those described by U.S. Pat. No. 9,032,860 to Faxon (Faxon) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,155 to Sturtevant (Sturtevant), each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Contact with a heated surface, such as the exposed housing of a suppressor by the operator or others in near proximity of the firearm may result in injury and distraction to the operator. Distractions in certain environments, such as covert operations or dynamic situations may result in life-threatening consequences to an operator or those surrounding them. As operators in military scenarios often work in teams, these life-threatening consequences may also affect a team, within which the weapon operator works. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention surrounds a suppressor for the mitigation of firearm signature while addressing problems associated with other existing devices in the field of firearm suppression. 
         [0013]    Some existing suppressors attempt to mitigate firearm signature do so with a sealed metallic enclosure with internal baffling such as employed by U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,481 to Dueck, et al. (Dueck), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Dueck provides firearm signature mitigation with an intermediate expansion volume comprising a substantially sealed volume with openings at the distal ends for the passage of a projectile and associated expanding gasses. Where Dueck fails to address certain problems associated with the suppression of firearms is the issue surrounding blowback and excessive temperature retained by the suppressor. 
         [0014]    Some suppressors attempt to provide increased suppression through the use of vent holes in the outer surface of the suppressor as used by U.S. Pat. No. 8,322,266 to Presz, et al. (Presz), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The vent holes in the outer surface of the suppressor described by Presz provide further mitigation of such issues of blowback and muzzle-flash suppression, however the design as disclosed by Presz in operation of a firearm, retains heat in excess of temperatures safe to the touch. 
         [0015]    Some existing suppressor devices attempt to mitigate the high temperature issue as related to the operation of a firearm in conjunction with a suppressor device attached to the muzzle-end as used by U.S. Pat. No. 9,140,511 to Michal, et al. (Michal), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Michal describes a sleeve designed to interface with the outer surface of a suppressor with interior splines, and exterior splines disposed at an angle to the interior splines. The configuration of Michal provides insulation to limit heat conduction and limiting the exterior touch temperature of the sleeve when used with a suppressor. Michal fails to address problems associated with blowback. Furthermore, Michal&#39;s insulation strategy prevents the cooling of suppressor. This leaves the firearm subjected to negative operational effects of excessive heat retained by the firearm and suppressor device. 
         [0016]    It will be appreciated that for the purposes of the present invention, a proximal designation surrounds a portion of an element being closer to an operator when such an element is used as intended. It will be further appreciated that for the purposes of the present invention, a distal designation surrounds a portion of an element being further from an operator when such an element is used as intended. Considering a firearm, for example as disclosed by Sturtevant, is appreciated to have a stock at a proximal end of the firearm and a barrel at a distal end of the firearm. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, a suppressor comprises a firearm engagement component at a proximal end of the suppressor. The firearm engagement component features a pathway along an attachment feature for the fixation to the muzzle-end of a firearm. The suppressor further comprises a projectile exit component at a distal end of the suppressor having an opening along a pathway allowing for the passage of a projectile and gasses. The suppressor further comprises a baffle system with a pathway disposed between the firearm engagement component and the projectile exit component, a sleeve, and an outer housing. Certain embodiments of a baffle system comprise a plurality of baffles. Certain embodiments of a baffle comprises a form of increasing cross-section with a pathway extending from the proximal end of the baffle to the distal end of the baffle. Such a pathway allows for the passage of a projectile through the suppressor without interference. Certain embodiments of such a baffle may further comprise apertures in the baffle through the outer surface of the baffle for the expansion of gasses and passage from a first volume on the interior of a baffle to a second volume on the exterior of a baffle. The baffle system is surrounded by the sleeve, which extends from a proximal portion of the suppressor to a distal portion of the suppressor. Gasses that pass from the first volume on the interior of a baffle, enter the second volume on the exterior of a baffle. The second volume is further defined by the interior surface of the sleeve. The sleeve serves to direct the expansion of gasses and may be configured to allow the passage of gasses from the second volume within the interior of the sleeve to a third volume external to the sleeve. In certain embodiments a sleeve is configured to allow the passage and expansion of gasses from the second volume to the third volume via through-holes located toward the distal end of the suppressor. Gasses that enter the second volume from the first volume, expand parallel to the pathway and toward the distal end prior passing through the through-holes. Gasses that expand into the third volume are initially contained between the outer surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the outer housing. In certain embodiments, these gasses are permitted to expand within the third volume, between the sleeve and the interior surface of the outer housing, along the length the suppressor toward the proximal end of the suppressor. Toward the proximal end of the suppressor, the outer housing has apertures extending through the outer surface of the outer housing to the ambient air, allowing for the venting of gasses associated with the operation of a firearm to the ambient air. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0018]      FIG. 1A —A perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B —A perspective exploded cross-section view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0020]      FIG. 2 —A perspective view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A —A perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a baffle 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B —A perspective exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a baffle 
           [0023]      FIG. 4 —A perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a baffle system 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A —A perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B —A perspective exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C —A perspective exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0027]      FIG. 6 —A perspective view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
           [0028]      FIG. 7 —A side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suppressor 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Certain embodiments of the present invention surrounding a suppressor  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , comprise a firearm engagement component  101  having a pathway  110  and a firearm attachment feature  501  for the fixation to a distal end of a firearm. Such a suppressor  100  has a proximal end  120  and a distal end of the suppressor  130  and further comprises a projectile exit component  102 , a baffle system  103 , a sleeve  104  and an outer housing  105 . A projectile exit component  102  is open along a pathway  110 , allowing for the passage of a projectile and gasses. Certain embodiments of a baffle system  103  comprise a plurality of interconnected baffles  106 . A first baffle  106   a,  seen in  FIG. 1B , comprises a hollow form with a cross-section increasing along the pathway  110  from a proximal end toward a distal end of the first baffle  106 . A second baffle  106   b,  seen in  FIG. 1B , comprises a constant internal diameter and constant outer diameter. The first baffle  106   a  and the second baffle  106   b  are interconnected such that the the hollow form of each is consistent with the pathway  110 . The outer surface of certain baffle,  106   a  and  106   b  for example, have apertures in the baffle  302  through an outer surface of the baffle for the expansion of gasses from the interior of the baffle system  103  to the exterior of the baffle system  103 . A third baffle  106   c,  seen in  FIG. 1B , comprises a hollow form with increasing cross-section along the pathway  110  from a proximal end toward a distal end of the third baffle  106   c.    
         [0030]    It will be appreciated that embodiments of baffle  106 , shown in  FIG. 1B , are not limited to the configuration disclosed and may comprise any form or cross-section having a hollow form aligning with the pathway  110 . The alignment of the hollow form of a baffle  106  allows the passage of a projectile from a proximal portion of the baffle system  103  to a distal portion of the baffle system  103  without interference. 
         [0031]    It will be further appreciated that a baffle system  103 , shown in  FIG. 1B  is not limited to configurations disclosed herein and may comprise any combination of baffle  106  without departure from the inventive concept of the present invention. Certain embodiments a baffle system  103 , may contain a plurality of baffles  106 . Other embodiments of a baffle system  103  may comprise a singular baffle  106 . 
         [0032]    Certain embodiments of a baffle system  103 , seen in  FIG. 1A , are surrounded by a sleeve  104 , which extends from a proximal portion of the suppressor  100  to distal portion of the suppressor  100 . Gasses that pass from the first volume  701 , through the baffle system  103 , enter the second volume  702 . The second volume  702  is bounded by the internal surface of the sleeve  104  and the external surface of baffle system  103 . The sleeve  104  only allows the passage of gasses from the interior of the sleeve  104  to the exterior of the sleeve  104  at a location near the distal end of the suppressor  100 . The gasses that pass to the exterior of the sleeve  104  are initially contained within a third volume  703  defined by the external surface of the sleeve  104  and the inner surface of the outer housing  105 . These gasses are permitted to expand within the third volume  703  between the sleeve  104  and the outer housing  105  along the length of the suppressor  100  toward the proximal end  120  of the suppressor  100 . Near the proximal end  120  of the suppressor  100 , the outer housing  105  has apertures in the outer housing  109  to the ambient air, allowing for the exit of gasses associated with the operation of a firearm. 
         [0033]    Although embodiments presented herein, as shown in  FIG. 1A  for example, surrounding the present invention are configured with a first volume  701 , a second volume  702  and a third volume  703 , it will be appreciated that additional volumes may be considered as within the inventive bounds of a suppressor as disclosed. 
         [0034]    Certain embodiments of a suppressor  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , comprise an outer housing  105  further comprising a material composition with a low heat transfer coefficient. Such material compositions may comprise ceramic, polymeric or other materials with a low heat transfer coefficient. Such materials further exhibit a melting temperature and heat deflection temperature, as dictated by the American Society of testing and Materials (ASTM), exceeding 500° C. (932° F.). Certain embodiments of a baffle system  103 , as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , comprise a plurality of baffles  106 , each having a first dimension  310 , a second dimension  315  and a length  316 . It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments of some baffle ( 106   a,    106   c ), a first dimension  310  is smaller than a second dimension  315 . In other embodiments of a baffle  106   b  a first dimension  310  may be equal to a second dimension  315 . Furthermore, each baffle  106  has a proximal opening  311  and a distal opening  312 . A first baffle  106   a  for instance, comprises a hollow form with increasing cross-sectional dimension, from a first dimension  310  at a proximal portion of the first baffle  106   a  to a second dimension  315  at an open distal portion of the first baffle  106   a.  The proximal portion of the first baffle  106   a  has a proximal opening  311 , less than or equal to the first dimension  310 . The first baffle is configured such that gasses may pass axially into, expand through the baffle  106   a,  and exit through a distal opening  312  at a distal portion of the baffle  106   a.  Furthermore, such a first baffle  106   a  comprises apertures in the baffle  302  extending radially through the hollow form of the baffle  106   a.  Such apertures in the baffle  302  are typically biased toward a distal portion of the baffle  106 . Apertures in a baffle  302  allow for the passage of gasses from the internal volume of a baffle  106   a  to the exterior of a baffle  106   b.    
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , it will be appreciated that a baffle  106  may take a plurality of forms as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . It will be further appreciated that certain embodiments of a baffle  106 , such as a third baffle  106   c,  do not require apertures in the baffle. 
         [0036]    In certain embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , some baffles ( 106   b,    106   c ) have at least one baffle standoff feature  304 , extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the baffle  106   b  and  106   c.  Baffle standoff features  304  as seen in  FIG. 3B , provide offset between a baffle  106  or baffle system  103 , and a sleeve  104  as shown in  FIG. 1B . Certain embodiments of a baffle standoff feature  304 , shown in  FIG. 3B , are positioned toward a distal portion of a baffle  106 . A baffle standoff feature  304  may comprise a continuous form, a continuous form with apertures for the passage of gas allowing for expansion, or a plurality of individual features extending radially from the outer surface of a baffle  106 . 
         [0037]    In other embodiments as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , a baffle  106   b  comprises a cylindrical shell form with constant cross sectional dimension and open ends. The cylindrical shell features apertures in the baffle  302  passing through the external surface of the baffle  106   b  to the interior of the cylindrical shell form. The apertures in the baffle  302  may be evenly spaced, staggered or randomly positioned and allow for the passage of gasses from the interior of the baffle  106   c  to the exterior of the baffle. Furthermore, a baffle  106   c  may comprise alternative embodiments of apertures in the baffle  302  having differing shape and cross-sectional area. 
         [0038]    It will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that expansion rate of a gas associated with a baffle  106 , seen in  FIG. 3A , is dependent upon multiple variables including the cross-sectional area of the baffle along the length of the baffle  106 , apertures in the baffle  302  shape, number of apertures in the baffle  302  allowing passage to the exterior of the baffle and the length of a baffle  106 . 
         [0039]    In certain embodiments of a baffle system  103  as shown in  FIG. 4 , a baffle  106  may further comprise baffle attachment features  402  for the fixation of the baffle  106  to other components including, but not limited to other baffle  106   a,    106   b  and  106   c,  a firearm engagement component  404  of a suppressor or a projectile exit component  405  of a suppressor. Such attachment features include screw threading, pipe threading, male or female interlocking mechanisms. As seen in  FIG. 3B , certain embodiments of a baffle  106  comprise a baffle attachment feature  402  at a proximal portion and a distal portion of such a baffle  106 . Such baffle attachment features  402  allow the assembly and disassembly of a plurality of baffles  106 . 
         [0040]    Certain embodiments of a baffle system  103 , as shown in  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , comprise a sleeve  104 , a firearm engagement component  404 , a projectile exit component  405  and an outer housing  105 . The firearm engagement component, seen in  FIG. 5B  and  FIG. 5C, 404  further comprises a projectile entry aperture  307  and a firearm attachment feature  501  for the fixation to the distal end of a firearm, and proximal face  520  comprising a flange feature  502  extending radially outward with a plurality of through-holes  503  in the firearm engagement component flange feature  502 . 
         [0041]    A suppressor  100 , shown in  FIG. 5B , further comprises a baffle system  103  having a plurality of axially affixed baffle  106  wherein the baffles  106  are attached to each other using baffle attachment features  402 . The baffle  106  are configured to allow radial gas expansion as gasses flow along a pathway  110  through each consecutive baffle  106  and therein from proximal portion to a distal portion of the baffle system  103 . A second baffle  106   b  at the proximal end  120  of the suppressor  100  further comprises a proximally located attachment feature  402  for fixation to the firearm engagement component  404  of the suppressor  100  and at least one baffle standoff feature  304 . A third baffle  106   c  at the distal end of the suppressor  130  further comprises a distally located baffle attachment feature  402  for fixation to the projectile exit component  405  of the suppressor  100  and at least one baffle stand-off feature  304 . A plurality of first baffles  106   a  are interconnected and extend from the second baffle  106   b  to the third baffle  106   c.  The projectile exit component  405 , shown in  FIG. 5C , further comprises a flange feature  504  extending radially outward. In some embodiments, the baffle stand-off features  304  of the most proximal baffle  106   c  and the most distal baffle  106   b  of the baffle system  103  provide support for the sleeve  104  disposed around the baffle system. The baffle stand-off features  304  offset the sleeve  104  at a consistent distance from the pathway  110  of the suppressor  100 . 
         [0042]    In certain embodiments of a suppressor as seen in  FIG. 5C , a proximal face  520  of a sleeve  104  interfaces with a distal face  530  of the firearm engagement component  404  for fixation to each other. This fixation seals the intersection of the sleeve  104  and the firearm engagement component  404  to prevent the passage of gasses from between the sleeve  104  and the firearm engagement component  404 . A distal edge  540  of the sleeve  104  is offset from a proximal face  550  of the projectile exit component  405 . Offsetting the sleeve  104 , referencing  FIG. 5A , from the firearm engagement component  104  allows the passage of gasses between a second volume  702  within of the sleeve  104  to a third volume  703  defined by the exterior of the sleeve  104  and the interior surface of the outer housing  105 . The outer housing  105 , shown  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C , comprises a cylindrical shell-form open at a distal end of the suppressor  120  and an aperture at the proximal end of the suppressor  130 . A flange feature  505  configured proximally on the outer housing  105  extends radially inward from the cylindrical shell form. The flange feature  505  further exhibits an aperture  506 , which is typically centrally located. The flange feature  505  of the outer housing  105  has through-holes  506  of configuration matching through-holes  503  of the firearm engagement component  404  flange feature  502 . The outer housing  105  is disposed surrounding the assembly of the firearm engagement component  404  and the projectile exit component  405 , with baffle system  103  and sleeve  104  therebetween. In such an assembly the outer housing flange feature through-holes  506  align with the through-holes in the flange feature of the firearm engagement component  503 . 
         [0043]    In certain embodiments of a suppressor, shown in  FIG. 5C , an outer surface  550  of a firearm engagement component  404  flange feature  502  and an outer surface  560  of a projectile exit component  405  provide engagement with the interior surface  570  of an outer housing  105  for axial constraint. Optionally, the sleeve  104  may further comprise offset features  507  for engagement with the interior surface  565  of the outer housing  105  for additional axially constraint. Referencing  FIG. 5B  and  FIG. 5C , fastening hardware inserted through the aligned outer housing flange feature through-holes  506  and the through-holes in the flange feature of the firearm engagement component  503  provide longitudinal constraint. Optionally, the projectile exit component flange feature  504  may further comprise a plurality of through-holes  508 , wherein an end-cap  509 , intended to provide more structural constraint stability and/or gas sealing, further comprises a flange feature  510 . The end-cap flange feature  510  has a projectile exit aperture  590  aligning with a pathway  110  and a baffle system  103  and further comprises a plurality of through-holes  511 . The through-holes  511  of the end-cap  509  flange feature  510  matching the configuration of the projectile exit component flange feature through-holes  508  intended for the engagement of fastening hardware. Engagement of fastening hardware through the aligned through-holes  508  and  511  constrains an end-cap  509  to the projectile exit component  405 . 
         [0044]    In certain embodiments, outer housing  105 , shown in  FIG. 6  further comprises at least one aperture in the outer housing  109 . Other embodiments of an outer housing  105  comprise a plurality of apertures in the outer housing  109  offset from a distal portion of the outer housing  105 . Such apertures in the outer housing  109  extend from the exterior to the interior of the outer housing  105 . In some embodiments, a plurality of apertures in the outer housing  109  are used. In such embodiments, the apertures in the outer housing  109  are typically configured in a plurality of radial planar patterns  610 , with each radial planar pattern  610  parallel to the outer housing flange feature  505 . The radial planar patterns  610  of apertures in the outer housing  109  are typically offset from each other and proximate to the proximal end of the outer housing  105 . It will be appreciated that any configuration of a plurality of apertures in the outer housing  109  may be used. 
         [0045]    In certain embodiments of a suppressor  100  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the exterior surface  600  of an outer housing  105  comprises a plurality of geometric features  601  extending radially away from the external surface  600  of the outer housing  105 . It will be appreciated that such geometric features  601  further comprise a minimum external profile  602 , more proximate to the outer housing  105  external surface  600 . Under normal operating use, the minimum external profile  602  will typically exhibit a higher surface temperature than a maximum profile area  603 . It will be further appreciated that a maximum external profile  603  is offset radially outward from the outer housing  105  external surface  600 . Outer housing  105  geometric features  601  provide benefits including but not limited to increased heat mitigation and offset surface providing a lower temperature user interface surface to mitigate burns and other potential injury. It will be appreciated that such geometric features  601 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , are not limited to the embodiments as shown. Geometric features  601  may comprise a number of shapes, sizes and configurations while remaining consistent with the inventive nature of the present invention. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated that an increase in number of apertures in the outer housing  109  as shown in  FIG. 6 , or an increase of cross-section of an aperture in the outer housing  109  serves to increase gas exit airflow. It will be further appreciated that apertures in the outer housing  109  are not limited to a configuration involving two radial planar patterns  610  and may be configured in any configuration appreciated by one skilled in the art. This may include, but is not limited to, an array configuration, a randomized configuration or a spiral configuration. 
         [0047]    In certain embodiments of the invention shown in  FIG. 7 , a suppressor  100  comprises three internal gas expansion volumes defined by the assembly of a suppressor  100 . A first volume  701  comprises the internal volume of a baffle system  103 . A second volume  702  comprises the volume between the exterior surface of a baffle system  103  and the internal surface of a sleeve  104 . A third volume  703  comprises the volume between the external surface of a sleeve  104  and the internal surface of an outer housing  105 . When a firearm  700  to which the suppressor  100  is affixed is fired, gasses expand from the distal end of a firearm  700  into the suppressor  100 , the gasses expand axially along the length of the first volume  701  toward the distal end of the suppressor  120 . At the distal end of the suppressor  130 , while expanding radially into the second volume  702  through apertures in the baffle  302 . Some gasses exit the suppressor  100  through a projectile exit component  405  while other gasses expand into the second volume  702 . The gasses expanding through the second volume  702 , expand toward the distal end of the suppressor  100  where an offset of the distal edge of the sleeve  104  from a proximal planar surface of the projectile exit component  405  allows the expansion of gasses from the second volume  702  into the third volume  703 . Gasses expand from the distal end of the third volume  703 , toward the proximal end  120  of the suppressor  100 . Apertures in the outer housing  109  in the outer housing  105  allow the expansion of gasses from the third volume  703  to the surrounding environment. 
         [0048]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. The terms “first,” “second,” “proximal,” “distal,” etc., as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.