Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to energy suppressors such as silencers including energy suppressors using composite structures. 
   It is known to reduce the report of firearms by leveling the energy from firing over time and space. This is done by channeling the gas formed by firing the firearm through a series of compartments and/or pathways. The gas is expanded in the chambers and pathways in a manner that slows its motion in any one direction and its energy absorbed by solid objects with a slower response time such as baffles along some of the pathways. Moreover, energy that is in the form of heat is dissipated in space with minimum of rapid thermal expansion of gas that would otherwise increase the velocity of the gas in a single direction. In this manner, the energy from the explosion is spread in time and space to reduce the intensity of sound caused by the sudden forced motion of air propelled by the energy. 
   In one prior art sound suppresser or silencer, the gas is channeled from the muzzle along a longitudinal path where it passes through radial openings into a series of interconnected compartments within an outer tube. The barrel of the firearm extends into a seat within the silencer and the series of compartments extends both forward and rearwardly so some of them are located around the barrel and others forward of the barrel. The compartments over the barrel reduce the length the silencer adds to the firearm. One such prior art suppressor is disclosed in United States patent publication 20030145718. In the prior art noise suppressors, the tube into which the gas is directed is broken in multiple equal sized chambers. This type of noise suppressor has several disadvantages, such as: (1) the gas in the first chamber is high energy and tends to degrade the material of baffles; (2) the first radial opening and baffle is close to the muzzle and receives gas under high pressure and temperature which tends to degrade it; (3) the radial openings into the upper tube are small and spaced, resulting in slow increases in the area of movement with resulting slow reduction in energy density; (4) there are relatively few changes in direction of motion; and (5) no special measures are taken to increase heat transfer to increase the area of heat reception and decrease temperature with resulting thermal contraction of gas. 
   It is also known to construct strong, light structures using composite materials that may be advantageous to disperse thermal energy in energy suppressors. 
   Known thermally conductive composite structures include thermally conductive primary metallic base metals and other materials such as titanium metallic materials, carbon fiber based materials, and exotic metals. Examples of thermally-conductive composite structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,389 to Jones et al., granted Sep. 4, 2001 and in United States publication U.S. 2004-0244257-A1, published Dec. 9, 2004 in the name of Michael K. Degerness. However, such composite materials have not been used in conjunction with energy suppressors although the need for controlling the heating of energy suppressors has long been known and thermally conductive materials have long been known. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel sound suppressor or silencer. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method of making and using a noise suppressor. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a noise suppressor that does not add substantial length to the firearm. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a silencer that is relatively light in weight. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a silencer suitable for use with rapid cycling firearms. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel composite structure. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel composite structure with superior noise suppression characteristics. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel firearm suppressor that avoids both excessive weight, size and overheating, while providing accuracy. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel suppressor with composite materials that provide superior heat transfer, pressure reduction and vibrational characteristics. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel suppressor that combines both lightweight and high internal volume. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel suppressor with a superior ability to reduce the outlet pressure of discharge gases. 
   In accordance with the above and further objects of the invention, an energy suppressor for a firearm includes a first gas expansion section of relatively large size sufficient to reduce the temperature and pressure of the gas expelled from the muzzle during discharge of the firearm to a level that avoids rapid degrading of structural members such as baffles in the suppressor that are downstream of the muzzle. The gas is channeled through multiple paths to distribute its energy. Preferably, the suppressor is formed with a lightweight, thermally-conductive material positioned to increase the energy dissipation and angular stability of the suppressor under stress and reduce the noise emitted by it. The composite portion provides light-weight bursting strength with good thermal conductivity and little contribution to vibrational instability of the firearm to which it is attached. 
   In one embodiment, the suppressor includes at least first and second energy spreading sections. The first energy spreading section has a first expansion chamber in communication with the muzzle. The first expansion chamber is of sufficient size to reduce the energy density of gases formed by discharge of the firearm to a temperature and pressure that avoids the deterioration of the structural members such as downstream baffles. The lower energy density gas from the first expansion chamber is transmitted to the second energy spreading section. The second energy spreading section includes at least a second expansion chamber that extends back from the muzzle so that it is at least partly extends rearward of the muzzle. This shortens the overall length of the firearm and silencer combination. The composite portions of the suppressor, combined with the mechanical design, provide good bursting strength and heat conductivity with light weight. In some embodiments, a series of baffles create turbulence in the gas, slowing its motion and distributing the energy more evenly over space. 
   In another embodiment, the gases from the muzzle flow through a coupling that is large enough to reduce the energy density to the first energy spreading section which is an elongated passageway leading forward from the muzzle with a series of baffles. Openings in the first energy spreading section permit the escape of gas into a second energy spreading section. The second energy spreading section includes an expansion chamber which may, in one embodiment, extend rearwardly from the muzzle so that a substantial portion of the barrel is seated in the suppressor. At least some of the walls of the suppressor may be composites that include conductive carbon wall portions. 
   In one embodiment, the discharge gas enters an inner tube where it expands and flows: (1) through baffles that cause the hot pressurized gas to follow multiple paths by causing turbulence; and (2) through perforations along the length of the inner tube into an outer tube. The first baffle contacted by the hot pressurized gas should be at least 20 percent further from the muzzle than the average distance between baffles so that the gas has expanded and cooled before hitting the first baffle. The distance to the second baffle may also be longer in some embodiments. The inner tube and baffles as well as the outer tube may be of the lightweight conductive material such as conductive carbon fibers embedded in resin. In one embodiment, the conductive material is comprised of a plurality of randomly oriented discontinuous heat conductive fibers embedded in the resin. The walls that are subject to internal outwardly-directed pressure such as the outer and inner tube walls may include tows with the resin carbon fiber composite for bursting strength. The distance the hot pressurized gas travels and expands before hitting the first degradable member, such as a baffle, should be at least 20 percent greater than the distance between any two baffles. Because the gas in the outer tube has expanded more than the gas in the inner tube, it will be cooler in temperature. The temperature difference can be controlled during design by selecting the volume and the paths through which the gas flows into each tube. For efficient heat transfer, half of the drop in temperature should be between the inner tube and the second tube and half between the outer tube and ambient temperature. 
   From the above description, it can be understood that the energy suppressor and/or combination of the energy suppressor and firearm of this invention and the methods of making them have several advantages, such as: (1) they reduce the amplitude of the report of the firearm with a smaller increase in length of the combined firearm and silencer and a small increase in weight; (2) they increase the life of the suppressor by reducing deterioration of the baffles from the hot gases; (3) they improve accuracy and reduce the amplitude of vibrations at the muzzle; (4) they aid in the dissipation of heat and reduce the tendency of the energy suppressor to overheat; and (5) they can be manufactured reliably and predictably with desirable characteristics in an economical manner. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above noted and other features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of a process of using an energy suppressor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of another process of using an energy suppressor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of still another process of using an energy suppressor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of a suppressor mounted to a barrel of a firearm partly broken away to show the structure of the baffles in the suppressor and the barrel of the firearm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a broken away perspective view of a silencer without the rifle barrel in place to show a rear tube, a front tube, an outer tube, a series of baffle-spacer combinations and a first expansion chamber; 
       FIG. 6  is a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of a first energy spreading section; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the first energy spreading section; 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified perspective view of still another embodiment of the first energy spreading section; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a cylindrical spacer; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a baffle, which together with the spacer of  FIG. 9  forms one unit of a spacer baffle combination in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the baffle of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the baffle of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a central support in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a simplified perspective view of a compression ring in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the compression ring of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a plan view of the compression ring of  FIG. 14 ; and 
       FIG. 17  is a fragmentary, side, elevational view of a suppressor mounted to a barrel with the suppressor partly broken away to show the first and second energy spreading sections. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In  FIG. 1 , there is shown a flow diagram of a process  10  of firing a firearm utilizing a silencer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including the step  12  of generating energy by explosive reaction in a chamber such as by discharging a firearm; the step  14  of transmitting a substantial portion of the energy to a first large expansion chamber which functions as a first energy spreading section, the step  16  of transmitting a substantial portion of the energy from the first large expansion chamber to a second energy spreading section; and the step  18  of the first large expansion chamber rapidly spreading the energy in time and space within the central longitudinal axis of the silencer to reduce the temperature and pressure of the gas from discharge before it contacts the baffles or other solid members than can be degraded excessively by the heat and pressure. 
   In this specification, the term “energy spreading” means increasing the area over which energy is acting kinetically or the time over which it is acting kinetically to create sound so as to reduce the amplitude of the sound leaving a confined system. The term “expansion chamber” means a space bounded at least in part by walls that hinder motion or slow motion; which chamber is larger than the volume of the gas entering it so that the gas expands to reduce its pressure and/or temperature. Energy density means the enthalpy in a system defined by a fixed volume (e.g. enthalpy per square inch). 
   The second energy spreading section provides a first passageway  25  and a second passageway  27  for the hot gases to spread the energy over time and further spread the energy over space before it causes a sonic effect outside the silencer. The first passageway  25 , which surrounds the barrel, the first large expansion chamber and the second passageway  27  receive the hot gases from the first large expansion chamber with which they communicate at the muzzle and channels the hot gases over the second passageway  27 . The hot gases are cooled by conduction through high thermal conductivity walls on the suppressor. 
   In  FIG. 2 , there is shown a flow diagram of a process  10 A of firing a firearm utilizing a silencer in accordance with another embodiment of the invention including the step  12 A of generating energy by explosive reaction in a chamber such as by discharging a firearm; the step  14 A of transmitting a substantial portion of the energy along a second passageway  27  through a series of baffles, the step  16 A of transmitting a substantial portion of the energy from the second passageway  27  to a large expansion chamber in the form of hot gases and/or heat transfer and from the large expansion chamber to the atmosphere through gas and/or heat transfer; and the step  18 A of transferring heat by conduction from the second passageway  27  to the large expansion chamber and/or from the large expansion chamber to atmosphere through highly conductive material. The highly conductive material may be but is not limited to highly conductive metal, metal composites, carbon composites, and other such suitable materials. 
   The energy from the discharge passes through a series of baffles, spacers and openings from the muzzle to the end of the silencer where the projectile exits the silencer. At each opening, hot gas flows into a large expansion chamber that reduces its energy density and delays and spreads over a larger area than the pressure surge, thus weakening the effect of the report of a firearm or other explosive source of sound. In the large expansion chamber, heat is transferred through highly conductive thermal walls, and in some embodiments heat may be conducted into the large expansion chamber from baffles and spacers in the first passageway  25  through highly conductive material. 
   In  FIG. 3 , there is shown a flow diagram of a process  10 B of firing a firearm utilizing a silencer in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention including the step  12 B of generating energy by explosive reaction in a chamber such as by discharging a firearm; the step  14 B of transmitting a substantial portion of the energy to a noise suppressor such as a silencer attached to a firearm, the step  16 B of transmitting heat within and/or from the noise suppressor through high thermal conductivity material, and the step  18 B of resisting the force of gas from the explosive reaction. 
   In  FIG. 4 , there is shown at  20  a fragmentary, simplified, perspective view of a firearm equipped with a silencer  28 , partly broken away, to illustrate the seating within the silencer  28  of the barrel  22  of the firearm. The silencer  28  has as its principal parts a first energy spreading section  24 , a second energy spreading section  26 , a central support  30 , a rear end cap  40  and a front end cap  44  (not shown in  FIG. 4 , see  FIG. 5 ). The rear end cap  40  compresses an O-ring  42  against the barrel  22  to seal the barrel and the silencer  28  and to provide support together with the central support  30 . The front end cap  44  ( FIG. 5 ) holds a front spacer  46  (not shown in  FIG. 4 , see  FIG. 5 ) within the second energy spreading section  26 . To mount the barrel  22  and the silencer  28  together, the cylindrical central support  30  receives the barrel  22  in the central opening and receives the inner surfaces of a front tube  36  and a rear tube  32 . 
   The first energy spreading section  24  is a hollow body with central and radial openings. The central openings communicate with the end of the muzzle through a first couple on a first end  50  of the first energy spreading section  24  and a second axially located passageway  27  of the second energy spreading section  26  through a second couple on a second end of the first energy spreading section  24 . The radial openings communicate with a first passageway  25  of the second energy spreading section  26 . The first passageway  25  is between the outer surface of the front and rear tubes  36  and  32  and the inner surface of an outer tube  34  which extends the length of the silencer  28  and has the high thermal conductivity outer wrap  48  over it. With this arrangement, the hot gas from the muzzle is first expanded in the first energy spreading section  24  to reduce the energy density and than applied most directly to the first passageway  25  with part being over the barrel  22  and the front end of the second axial passageway  27 . The second couple communicates with the first energy spreading section  24  and the second passageway  27 . 
   The second energy spreading section  26  includes the outer tube  34 , the outer tube wrap  48 , the rear tube  32  and the front tube  36  formed between the outer tube  34  and a plurality of axially-aligned spacer-baffle combinations one unit of which is labeled at  38 . The spacer-baffle combinations shown at  38  also receive hot gases from the first energy spreading section  24 . 
   With this combination, hot gases from the muzzle of the barrel  22  exit into the first expansion chamber which is within the first energy spreading section  24  and from there moves along the rear tube  32  where it expands further and dissipates heat through the outer tube  34  and wrap  48 . The wrap  48  is a special thermally-conductive, high-bursting strength composite layer. The hot gas also expands forward through the second passageway  27  where turbulence is created by the spacer-baffle combinations  38 . 
   For the purpose of creating turbulence and spreading the energy in time and space, the spacer-baffle combinations  38  include a compression ring  106 , a baffle  64  and a spacer  60  shown for one spacer-baffle combination in  FIG. 4 . The compression ring  106  receives hot gases under pressure through a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings (not shown in  FIG. 4 , see  FIG. 14 ) and creates pressure against the face of the baffle  64  which receives it in a series of grooves and walls. In some embodiments, gas from a central passageway through which the projectile passes also enters the space between the compression ring  106  and baffle  64 . The spacer  60  separates the units  38  of the spacer-baffle combination. 
   In this operation, the hot gases generated by discharge of the firearm drive the projectile through the barrel  22  after which the projectile moves along the longitudinal axis of the silencer  28  through a first expansion chamber and a second pathway through the center openings about the spacer-baffle combinations  38  while the hot gases flow into the first expansion chamber and then along the first and second pathways of the second energy spreading section  26 . The energy density is reduced in the first energy expansion station by expansion of the gases and then the gas after being cooled and reduced in pressure in the first energy spreading section  24  divides into two pathways in proportion to the size of the openings between the first energy spreading section  24  and a first passageway  25  and between the first energy spreading section  24  and the second passageway  27 . 
   Because the opening between the first energy spreading section  24  and the second passageway  27  is smaller than the opening between the first energy spreading section  24  and the first passageway  25 , a smaller portion of the hot gas flows into the second passageway  27  where it is expanded in a relatively large area, mixed by baffles and slowed before exiting the end of the silencer  28 . The baffle-spacer combinations  38  include surfaces that are contoured to cause swirling motion of the gases to reduce pressure in any one direction at the same time. The majority of the hot gas flows into the first passageway  25  which expands the gas and distributes it over the circumference of the silencer  28 . A portion of the energy is transferred by conduction to the outer surface of the silencer  28  and removed from there by radiation and convection, thus reducing the temperature of the gases and correspondingly the thermal expansion. The second passageway  27  is resistant to degrading by heat and pressure. The inner surface of the second passageway  27  is partly the barrel&#39;s outer surface and the outer surface of the outer wall. Its outer surface is the inner surface of the outer tube  34 . Heat is transferred through the highly heat conductive outer wrap  48 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , there is shown at  20  a broken away perspective view of the silencer  28  without the rifle barrel in place having the rear tube  32 , the front tube  36 , the outer tube  34 , the baffle-spacer combinations  38  forming the second energy spreading section  26  and having the first energy spreading section  24  with the enlarged cylindrical portion  54 , first coupling end  50  and outlet coupling  52  of the first expansion chamber. As best shown in this view, an end cap  40  having an O-ring  42  engaging the barrel  22  seals one end with the barrel being seated within the front tube  34 . A front end cap  44  closes the front end against the barrel  22  and is separated from the baffle-spacer combination  38  by a front spacer  46 . The front spacer  46  is a right regular tubular cylinder. As best shown in this view, the central support  30  connects the inlet coupling  50  of the first energy spreading section  24  to the interior of the outer tube  34  at the central location that permits the gases from the first energy spreading section  24  to pass between the outer tube  34  and the rear tube  32  and the front tube  36 . 
   In  FIG. 6 , there is shown a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of the first energy spreading section  24  having the inlet coupling  50 , the outlet coupling  52  and the enlarged central cylindrical section  54  in communication with each other. The enlarged section  54  includes a plurality of openings  56 A and  56 B being shown for illustration separated by web portions  58 A being shown as an example. With this arrangement, the hot gases exiting the muzzle flow into the inlet coupling  50  and principally out of the openings  56 A and  56 B into the first passageway  25  of the second energy spreading section  26  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and out of the outlet coupling  52  into the second passageway  27  of the second energy spreading section  26 . A collar  62  engages the end of the muzzle and an enlarged cylindrical portion  60  closes the front tube  34  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) with the open end extending into the second passageway  27  of the second energy spreading section  26 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , there is shown a side elevational view of another embodiment of the first energy spreading section  24 A having an inlet coupling  50 A, its outlet coupling  52 A and a plurality of openings  56 C- 56 F in an enlarged cylindrical section  54 A separated by web portions  58 B- 58 D identified by reference numbers that are the same for corresponding parts as the reference numbers used in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . The inlet coupling section  50 A is sized to receive and seat the barrel  22  and the outlet coupling  52 A is sized to couple with the forward end of the silencer  28 . Two enlarged cylindrical radially outwardly extending portions  60 A and  62 A engage the inner walls of the outer tube  34  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the second energy spreading section  26 A ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and serve as central supports therefore. 
   In  FIG. 8 , there is shown a simplified perspective view of still another embodiment of the first energy spreading section  24 B having first and second enlarged cylindrical sections  54 B and  54 C divided by a wall  55  having a reduced opening  57  through it, an inlet coupling  50 B, an outlet coupling  52 B, a first plurality of openings one of which is shown at  56 G in the first enlarged cylindrical section  54 B, separated by a corresponding set of web portions  58 E and  58 F being shown in  FIG. 8  as examples, a second plurality of openings  56 H and  56 I being shown in  FIG. 8 , separated by corresponding ones of the web sections  58 G and  58 H (not shown in  FIG. 8 ). The inlet coupling section  50 B is sized to receive and seat the barrel  22  and the outlet coupling  52 B is sized to couple with the forward end of the silencer  28 . Two enlarged cylindrical radially outwardly extending portions  60 B and  62 B engage the inner walls of the outer tube  34  of the second energy spreading section  26  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and serve as central supports therefore. In this embodiment, a further delay is provided by the two separated compartments  54 B and  54 C, with  54 B receiving the hottest, higher pressure gas first and the compartment  54 C receiving lower pressure, cooler gas slightly later to further spread the energy and resulting pressure waves in space and time. 
   In  FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective view of a cylindrical spacer  60  and in  FIG. 10  there is shown a perspective view of a baffle  64 , which together form one unit of the spacer-baffle combination  38  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The spacer  60  is a tubular right regular cylinder having a thin wall  62 . The baffle  64  is shaped as a plurality of radially spaced peaks and grooves with the projectile path being through the center so as to receive hot gases in the grooves at an angle and cause delay and turbulence in the gases. The baffle  64  has an outer right regular cylindrical wall  66  ending in the first and outer peak  68 A of four circumferentially spaced peaks  68 A- 68 D. The center and last peak  68 D is shaped as a right regular cylinder surrounding a central opening  72  through which the projectile passes. The peaks  68 A- 68 C are spaced apart by two circumferentially-spaced grooves  70 A and  70 B defined by slanting sides of the peak between them. The peaks  68 A- 68 C face the muzzle. 
   In one embodiment, the spacer  60  has the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the peak edge  68 D surrounding the central opening  72  in the baffle  64  so that the spacers and inner wall of the central opening  72  form a passageway for the projectile. Radial openings such as that shown at  74  in the inner wall around the central opening  72  permit the escape of gas from the central passageway for the projectile and into the second passageway  27  of the silencer. In another embodiment, the spacer  60  has the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the first and outer peak  68 A to form an outer wall of the second passageway  27  that overlies the inner wall of the front tube  36  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) so as to leave larger spaces for the gas from the muzzle to impinge on the baffles. In both embodiments, a plurality of alternately positioned spacers  60  and baffles  64  align axially with each other and forms an elongated right regular cylinder which is the baffle-spacer combination  38  of the second passageway  27  of the second energy spreading section  26  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The number of spacers and baffles and their size are selected for the particular application of firearm. 
   In  FIG. 11 , there is shown a side elevational view of the baffle  64  having the cylindrical outer wall  66 , the peaks  68 A- 68 D and the central opening  72 . As best shown in this view, the peak  68 C is flat between the groove  70 B and the cylinder  68 D. The side of the baffle  64  that faces away from the muzzle has a truncated cone shaped cavity intersecting the cylinder  72 . 
   In  FIG. 12 , there is shown a top view of the baffle  64  illustrating the grooves  70 A and  70 B with hidden lines for clarity. While a specific type of baffle is shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , any configuration to achieve this purpose may be used to cause the hot gases to follow an irregular path and thus spread in time and space the effect of the gas pressure. 
   In  FIG. 13 , there is shown a perspective view of a central support  30  having a generally cylindrical shape with a cylindrical outer surface  90  that rests against the outer wall and a central opening  92  which fits around the second passageway  27  of the second energy spreading section  26  to engage the dividing location between the front and rear inner walls. It is relatively thin and orthogonal to the outer wall having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  94 A- 94 O, which are cylindrical and aligned with the axis of the silencer  28  to permit gaseous flow throughout the circumference between the barrel side of the first passageway  25  and the forward side of the first passageway  25  of hot gases from the first energy spreading section  24 . This central support  30  also supports the outer wall besides spacing the outer and inner walls. 
   In  FIG. 14 , there is shown a simplified perspective view of a compression ring  106  having a cylindrical outer wall  100  with a flat bottom  80  (not shown in  FIG. 14 , see  FIG. 15 ) and a central opening  104 . A surface  76  slopes outwardly from a plane  78  and radially inwardly in the plane  78  of the compression ring  106  from a radius slightly inward of an imaginary circle drawn through circumferentially spaced openings  102 A- 102 H ends in an outwardly extending right regular tubular cylinder  108  having at its center the opening  104 . 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the slanted surface  76  slants to the base of the right regular cylinder  108  and at the center is the opening  104  so as to enable the compression ring  106  to fit within the spacer  60  as a separating element and permit the flow of hot gases through the circumferentially spaced right regular cylindrical openings  102 A- 102 H around the central opening  104  for the flow of gas along the second passageway  27  of the second energy spreading section  26 . 
   In  FIG. 17 , there is shown a fragmentary elevational view of a combination firearm and silencer  28 A broken away to show the interior of the silencer  20  having the end of the barrel  22 , a coupling fixture  96 , a first energy spreading section  24 , and a front tube  36  having within it the baffle-spacer combination  38 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 17 , the second energy spreading section  26  includes the tube  36  and a large open space  120  occupying the majority of the interior of the silencer  20 . The silencer  20  includes the outer tube  34  and the thermally-conductive wrap  48  about it as well as the front and rear end caps  44  and  42 . The passageway  72  for the projectile extends as it must through the coupling  96 , first energy spreading section  24  and tube  36  with the hot gases going into the first spreading section  24  and from the first spreading section  24  along the passageway  72  to the tube  36  containing the baffle combination  38  and also through the openings  56 , two of which are shown at  56 A and  56 B in the first energy spreading section  24 . As shown in this embodiment, the cylindrical passageway is replaced by a large open space  120  but includes the wrap  48  for rigidity and high thermal conductivity. In another embodiment, the coupling  96 , the first spreading section  24  and tube  36  may be omitted entirely so the hot gases are moved entirely into the space  120  where the energy density is reduced and heat is conducted through the outer wall  34  and wrap  48 . Moreover, the space  120  and still other embodiments may have entirely different baffles within it so as to provide one energy spacing compartment with a plurality of baffles with a highly thermally conductive wrap  48  about it 
   From the above description, it can be understood that the energy suppressor and/or combination of the energy suppressor and firearm of this invention and the methods of making them have several advantages, such as: (1) they reduce the amplitude of the report of the firearm with a smaller increase in length of the combined firearm and silencer and a small increase in weight; (2) they increase the life of the suppressor by reducing deterioration of the baffles from the hot gases; (3) they improve accuracy and reduce the amplitude of vibrations at the muzzle; (4) they aid in the dissipation of heat and reduce the tendency of the energy suppressor to overheat; and (5) they can be manufactured reliably and predictably with desirable characteristics in an economical manner. 
   Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with some particularity, it is to be understood that many variations of the embodiment are possible within the light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Technology Category: 2