Suppressor

Abstract

The present invention includes a firearm suppressor with a baffle network that creates internal turbulence by creating surfaces that redirect outbound fluid into inbound fluid to control the expansion of fluid within the suppressor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more specifically to the field of firearms suppressors.

BACKGROUND

A firearm sound suppressor typically mounts to the end of the muzzle of a firearm and is usually a hollow metal cylinder which has expansion chambers therein and which attaches to the muzzle of a firearm. This type of sound suppressor is readily attached to the end of a firearm barrel and may be used on different firearms of the same caliber.

The firearm suppressor suppresses noise by allowing the rapidly expanding gases from the firing of a cartridge to be diverted or trapped inside a series of chambers. The trapped gas expands and cools, reducing its pressure and velocity before it exits the suppressor. The suppressor chamber may be a single large expansion chamber located at the muzzle end of a firearm to allow the propellant gas to expand considerably and slow before it encounters the baffles therein. Baffles used in sound suppressors are usually circular metal dividers which separate the expansion chamber with each baffle having a hole therethrough to permit passage of gas through the baffle. The aperture in each baffle and the passageway through the sound suppressor are generally slightly larger than the projectile caliber to reduce the risk of a projectile hitting the sides of the housing in the sound suppressor. A sound suppressor housing can become heated to a very high temperature because of the collection of rapidly expanding gases from firing of multiple cartridges, especially in rapid fire weapons.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a firearm suppressor. The suppressor includes a barrel port and a baffle network. The barrel port is adapted to affix to a firearm barrel. The baffle network surrounds a projectile passage directed from the barrel port. Each pathway aperture includes a baffle proximal surface defining a pathway aperture portion angled to both diverge from the projectile pathway to an external baffle maxima and extend along the projectile pathway. Then the pathway aperture includes a baffle distal surface defining a pathway aperture portion from the external baffle maxima returning to the projectile pathway and in opposition to the projectile passage.

Other embodiments of the suppressor include a port adapted to affix to a firearm barrel, as well as a base, and a sleeve that form a closed, continuous pathway aperture. The base, which is adjacent to the barrel port, surrounds a projectile passage directed from the barrel port from an inlet to an outlet, and includes a gate, proximate to said inlet, leading from the passage to a baffle network. There is an internal baffle network (i.e., more than one baffle) and an external baffle network. Internal baffles include a proximal surface obliquely angled against said pathway, either as a right angle or as an oblique angle that juts into the path of the fluid flow, and an internal baffle distal surface angled into the pathway. The internal baffle network terminates in a return, proximate to said outlet, leading from the internal baffle network to the passage.

The sleeve, circumscribes the base, and bears the external baffle network, which is intercalated within the internal baffle network. The external baffles include an external baffle proximal surface obliquely angled into the pathway and an external baffle distal surface obliquely angled into the pathway. The external baffle surfaces can be oriented and constructed such that they impede the flow of fluid within the pathways.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive. Furthermore, some features may apply to certain versions of the invention, but not others. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exposed, plan view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exposed, plan view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the suppressor of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the base of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of the base of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the base of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the sleeve of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sleeve of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exposed, plan view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exposed, plan view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, plan view of the suppressor of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective, exploded view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective, exploded view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective, cutaway view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a plan, cutaway view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exposed, plan view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an exposed, plan view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the suppressor of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective, exploded view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective, exploded view of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are cutaway, perspective views of the suppressor of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan, cutaway view of the suppressor of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1-9, a basic embodiment of the firearm suppressor 100 is shown. The firearm suppressor can be broken into three conception portions based on the construction thereof. A first part includes a barrel port 106 for the affixation of a firearm 900 to the firearm suppressor. A second part includes a which supplies a body for the affixation and support of internal baffles 110a. A third part includes a sleeve 120 which supplies a body for the affixation and support of external baffles 110b. The precise nature of the construction of the suppressor will be dependent on the nature and location of the baffles 110 within the suppressor. For example, the suppressor 100 of FIG. 1 includes internal and external baffles that are preferably radially solid; and therefore, there is a strong basis for a construction that includes an inner portion that separates the internal baffles 110a from the external baffles 110b.

The barrel port 106 is a component that allows a firearm suppressor 100 to attach to the barrel of a firearm 900. A firearm for purposes of the present invention includes any device for firing a projectile using the rapid expansion of gas. Any known art method of attaching a barrel to a suppressor may be utilized with the present invention, including threading, joinder, adhesive (typically brazing), etc. The barrel port 106 therefore may include threading or other basis of joinder, but the primary purpose of the barrel port is simply to allow affixation that allows continuity between the barrel 902 and the projectile passageway 160. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an internal projectile port recessed within the suppressor, this is only because such a construction follows the primary commercial implementation of a suppressor.

The suppressor 100 includes a with a base inlet 162 that allows passage of a projectile from the barrel 900 into the suppressor 100. The base inlet 162 is the beginning of the projectile passage 160 within the . From the base inlet 162 to the base outlet 164 a projectile travels within the suppressor 100. Because the present invention utilizes toroidal fluid flow to alternatively focus and then diverge gasses within the suppressor, and the supports internal baffles 110a, there is a need to allow ingress, and then at the distal portion of the suppressor, egress, of fluid into/from a fluid pathway 170. The fluid pathway 170 allows a secondary path for the escape of fluid from the suppressor other than the passage 160. The alternative pathway allows for the fluid manipulations that permit a suppressor to operate effectively. Fluids have two courses within the suppressor: fluid may either flow behind the projectile within the passage 160, or the fluid may enter the fluid pathway 170 in the spaces flanking the passage 160 through the gate 104.

When fluid has passed through the gate 104, it is now in the fluid pathway 170 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, and the fluid begins to be contoured by the baffles 110. Internal baffles 110a act to contact fluid at an outer point and constrict the fluid to a narrower, and denser, profile. Fluid first contacts a proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, the proximal surface 142 may take the form of a right angle or other oblique angle. For purposes of the present invention, oblique angle has the following meaning: an angle with respect to the passage 160 that is slanted with respect to the projectile passage. Although the term “oblique” typically includes connotations that do not include a right angle, it is a primary aspect of the present invention that the proximal surface 142 presents a surface upon which fluid contacts the proximal surface in an obstructive manner. It is preferred that the proximal surface not present a barrier upon which fluid is guided, but rather present a surface upon which fluid bounced into the pathway direction of the fluid. Thus it is with such intent that the present application uses the terms “with” and “against” to describe structures of the invention. “Against” includes structures that lean into or direct fluid flow back into the direction of fluid flow either in the passage 160 or pathway 170. When “against” is used with oblique” in the present invention, it is meant to include right angles because a right angle is an angle that presents a flat surface to a fluid flow to cause bounce-back. “With” includes structures that lean in the direction of or maintains the direction of fluid flow commensurate with the existing direction of fluid flow either in the passage 160 or pathway 170. “With” and “against” include a general urging of air proximally or distally, not necessarily at any particular angle. For most common applications, fluid flow will be travelling “with” a projectile fired from the barrel toward the direction of the outlet 164, in other words, as pointed by the directional arrows of the fluid pathway 170.

A preferred proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a is a right angle that allows fluid to create a turbulent flow because the fluid bounces against the proximal surface and returns into the fluid stream of the fluid pathway 170. Naturally, the direction of the fluid stream is in the direction of the gate 104 to a return 102, and from the inlet 162 to the outlet 164. The internal baffle 110a includes a maximum 130 and minimum 132. The maximum 130 is a measurement of the radial maximum extent to which the internal baffle projects into the pathway 170. The minimum 132 is the minimum extent to which the internal baffle 110a projects into the pathway 170. The fluid contacts the proximal surface 142 and is guided to the internal baffle maximum 130, which preferably creates a narrowed aperture between the baffle 110a and the sleeve 120 through which the fluid passes. As the fluid passes between the maximum 130 and the sleeve 120, the fluid is now exposed to a relatively larger volume and the obstructive barrier of the proximal surface 142 is replaced by the guiding barrier of the distal surface 144. The distal surface 144 is a curved, hyperbolic surface such that when the baffle 110a is viewed in 3-dimensions, the baffle 110a takes the shape of a hyperbolic cone truncated about the passage 160. The slope of the internal baffle distal surface 144 is non-linear, rather the hyperbolic nature of the surface results in a surface that would be below a hypothetical straight line drawn from the maximum 130 to the nearest point on the minimum 132. Such a surface permits airflow to focus about a roughly conical converging point near the internal baffle minimum 132. The internal baffle minimum 132 is the portion of the internal baffle that having the smallest longitudinal radius that nonetheless substantially contacts fluid in the secondary pathway 170.

Preferably the internal baffle minima 132 are positioned proximate to the external baffle maxima 134. The external baffles 110b are baffles 110 that are affixed to the outer portion of the suppressor 100, here the sleeve 120, that juts into the interior central portion of the suppressor to contour fluid flow within the suppressor. The external baffle 110b is a baffle 110 that guides fluid flow inwardly from exterior portions. In a preferred embodiment, the external baffle 110a is sized to present an oblique angle against the flow of fluid within the passage 170. Unlike the interior baffle 110a, there is not a strong preference for the proximal surface 146 of the external baffle to present an obstructing barrier to the flow of fluid. Instead, the external baffle may include proximal surfaces that angle into the fluid flow to guide the fluid toward the maxima 134 of the external baffles 100b. The external baffles of the present figures include a bifurcated external baffle proximal surface 146 whereby the surface is partly a right angle, and partly angled with the fluid flow.

The external baffles, for purposes of this description shall include much of the vocabulary of the internal baffles. For example, the external baffles include a proximal surface 146, which is the surface of the baffle that would initially contact fluid flow in its natural course through the pathway 170. The external baffles also include a distal surface 148, which includes the surface facing in the direction of the fluid flow through the pathway 170. The external baffles 110b have a maximum 134, which is the greatest extent to which the external baffles 110b jut into the interior of the suppressor 100. The external baffles 110b also possess a minimum 136, which is the least extent that fluid within the suppressor 100 can contact the baffle 110b.

The preferred dimensions of the external baffle 110b are those of annular rings extending from the interior periphery of the suppressor, which in instances of construction that include a sleeve, would include extend from the sleeve 120. As fluid contacts the proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a, the fluid is turbulently rebounded back into the pathway 170 of the suppressor. The fluid is then guided between the interior periphery of the suppressor, here the sleeve 120, and the maximum 130 of the internal baffle 110a. Once the fluid penetrates the relatively tight space between the sleeve 120 and the baffle maximum 130, the fluid is guided down the plunging hyperbolic distal surface 144 of the internal baffle 110a toward the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a. The approximate location of the minimum 132 corresponds, in preferred embodiments, to the approximate location of the external baffle 110b, such that there is an alternating series of compression and expansion zones. Compression occurs between the (i) internal baffle maximum 130 and the internal periphery of the suppressor, and then again (ii) between the internal baffle minimum 132 and the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b. Expansion occurs in the pathway 170 between the internal baffle maximum 132 and the external baffle. So the fluid expands as it travels along the plunging hyperbolic distal surface 144 until the fluid contacts the external baffle, and is once again compressed to penetrate the relatively narrow gateway formed between the external baffle 110b and the internal baffle 110a. The distal surface 148 of the external baffle has the least effect of all baffle surface on the fluid within the pathway. The preferred distal surface forms a right angle with respect to the sleeve 120 such that fluid has minimum contact therewith.

The positioning of the external baffle may vary considerably in performing the present invention, as may the quantity of external baffles. The present invention may even feature no external baffles and rely purely on the gateways formed by the internal baffle maxima 130 and the internal periphery of the suppressor, in which cases a separable sleeve 120 is not required. In discussing the present invention the term sleeve 120 is utilized to designate the internal periphery of the suppressor. The sleeve may be considered to be a separable item due to the nature of the configuration of the external baffles with respect to the internal baffles. Because the internal baffles and external baffles intercalate, construction of the present invention may require that the sleeve be a separable component that is the bifurcated along its length to permit placement of the sleeve around the base 110. To form a stop for the fluid within the suppressor, either the base 110 or the sleeve may include a stop plate 124. The stop plate 124 is the portion of the sleeve that forms a boundary for the parthway 170 that ensures that fluid does not exit the suppressor, except through the projectile passage 160. Fluid exits the pathway 170 through the return 102, which allows the fluid to re-enter the passage 160 and exit the outlet 164.

The specific angles and plunge of the surfaces may be varied to suit the firearm to which the suppressor is attached. The slope of the internal baffle distal surface is such that the change in slope diminishes along the length of the baffle in the direction of the fluid 160. In other words, the greatest change in slope is immediately after the internal baffle maximum while at the internal baffle minimum the slope changes relatively little. The minimum may be present along a relatively great length of the internal baffle such that the minimum applies to roughly 10-20% of the internal baffle length. The external baffle proximal surface may slope with the fluid flow, as shown specifically in FIG. 4, to permit the smooth transition of fluid to the gateway between the internal baffle and external baffle.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-17, another preferred embodiment of the suppressor 100 is depicted. The suppressor 100 includes a with a base inlet 162 that allows passage of a projectile from the barrel 900 into the suppressor 100. The base inlet 162 is the beginning of the projectile passage 160 within the . From the base inlet 162 to the base outlet 164 a projectile travels within the suppressor 100. Because the present invention utilizes toroidal fluid flow to alternatively focus and then diverge gasses within the suppressor, and the supports internal baffles 110a, there is a need to allow ingress, and then at the distal portion of the suppressor, egress, of fluid into/from a fluid pathway 170. The fluid pathway 170 allows a secondary path for the escape of fluid from the suppressor other than the passage 160. The alternative pathway allows for the fluid manipulations that permit a suppressor to operate effectively. Fluids have two courses within the suppressor: fluid may either flow behind the projectile within the passage 160, or the fluid may enter the fluid pathway 170 in the spaces flanking the passage 160 through the gate 104.

When fluid has passed through the gate 104, it is now in the fluid pathway 170 of the embodiment of FIGS. 10-17, and the fluid begins to be contoured by the baffles 110. Internal baffles 110a act to contact fluid at an outer point and constrict the fluid to a narrower, and denser, profile. Fluid first contacts a proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-17, the proximal surface 142 may take the form of an oblique angle formed against the fluid flow. For purposes of the present invention, oblique angle has the following meaning: an angle with respect to the passage 160 that is slanted with respect to the projectile passage. Although the term “oblique” typically includes connotations that do not include a right angle, it is a primary aspect of the present invention that the proximal surface 142 presents a surface upon which fluid contacts the proximal surface in an obstructive manner. It is preferred that the proximal surface not present a barrier upon which fluid is guided, but rather present a surface upon which fluid enters the interior of the internal baffle 110a to contact a barrier. Thus it is with such intent that the present application uses the terms “with” and “against” to describe structures of the invention. “Against” includes structures that lean into or direct fluid flow back into the direction of fluid flow either in the passage 160 or pathway 170. When “against” is used with oblique” in the present invention, it is meant to include right angles because a right angle is an angle that presents a flat surface to a fluid flow to cause bounce-back. “With” includes structures that lean in the direction of or maintains the direction of fluid flow commensurate with the existing direction of fluid flow either in the passage 160 or pathway 170. “With” and “against” include a general urging of air proximally or distally, not necessarily at any particular angle. For most common applications, fluid flow will be travelling “with” a projectile fired from the barrel toward the direction of the outlet 164, in other words, as pointed by the directional arrows of the fluid pathway 170.

A preferred proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a is an oblique angle that allows fluid to enter the internal baffle to create a turbulent flow as the fluid bounces against the proximal surface 142 into fluid that is continuing to enter the pathway 170 as well as the fluid that is continuing to enter the internal baffle 110a. Naturally, the direction of the fluid stream is in the direction of the gate 104 to a return 102, and from the inlet 162 to the outlet 164. The internal baffle 110a includes a maximum 130 and minimum 132. The maximum 130 is a measurement of the radial maximum extent to which the internal baffle projects into the pathway 170. The minimum 132 is the minimum extent to which the internal baffle 110a projects into the pathway 170. The fluid contacts the proximal surface 142 and is guided to the internal baffle maximum 130, which preferably creates a narrowed aperture between the baffle 110a and the sleeve 120 through which the fluid passes. As the fluid passes between the maximum 130 and the sleeve 120, the fluid is now exposed to a relatively larger volume and the obstructive barrier of the proximal surface 142 is replaced by the guiding barrier of the distal surface 144. The distal surface 144 is a curved, hyperbolic surface such that when the baffle 110a is viewed in 3-dimensions, the baffle 110a takes the shape of a partially-hollowed hyperbolic cone truncated about the passage 160. The slope of the internal baffle distal surface 144 is non-linear, rather the hyperbolic nature of the surface results in a surface that would be below a hypothetical straight line drawn from the maximum 130 to the nearest point on the minimum 132. Such a surface permits airflow to focus about a roughly conical converging point near the internal baffle minimum 132. The internal baffle minimum 132 is the portion of the internal baffle that having the smallest longitudinal radius that nonetheless substantially contacts fluid in the secondary pathway 170.

Preferably the internal baffle minima 132 are positioned proximate to the external baffle maxima 134. The external baffles 110b are baffles 110 that are affixed to the outer portion of the suppressor 100, here the sleeve 120, that juts into the interior central portion of the suppressor to contour fluid flow within the suppressor. The external baffle 110b is a baffle 110 that guides fluid flow inwardly from exterior portions. In a preferred embodiment, the external baffle 110a is sized to present an oblique angle with the flow of fluid within the passage 170. Unlike the interior baffle 110a, there is not a strong preference for the proximal surface 146 of the external baffle to present an obstructing barrier to the flow of fluid. Instead, the external baffle may include proximal surfaces that angle into the fluid flow to guide the fluid toward the maxima 134 of the external baffles 100b. The external baffles of the present figures include a proximal surface 146 and distal surface 148 both curved with the fluid flow within the pathway 170.

The external baffles, for purposes of this description shall include much of the vocabulary of the internal baffles. For example, the external baffles include a proximal surface 146, which is the surface of the baffle that would initially contact fluid flow in its natural course through the pathway 170. The external baffles also include a distal surface 148, which includes the surface facing in the direction of the fluid flow through the pathway 170. The external baffles 110b have a maximum 134, which is the greatest extent to which the external baffles 110b jut into the interior of the suppressor 100. The external baffles 110b also possess a minimum 136, which is the least extent that fluid within the suppressor 100 can contact the baffle 110b.

It is preferred to have external baffles 110b that jut with both the proximal surface 146 and distal surface 148 with the fluid flow. As can be seen in particular detail in FIGS. 13 and 17, the external baffle 110b forms an obstruction that creates two bottlenecks. The first bottleneck is similar to the bottleneck created by the previous embodiment discussed, between the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b and the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a, and then again between the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b and the maximum 132 of the internal baffle 110a. Thus fluid passes between the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b and the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a to enter the interior of the internal baffle for turbulent contact.

The preferred dimensions of the external baffle 110b are those of annular rings extending from the interior periphery of the suppressor, which in instances of construction that include a sleeve, would include extend from the sleeve 120. As fluid contacts the proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a, the fluid is turbulently rebounded back into the pathway 170 of the suppressor. The fluid is then guided between the interior periphery of the suppressor, here the sleeve 120, and the maximum 130 of the internal baffle 110a. Once the fluid penetrates the relatively tight space between the sleeve 120 and the baffle maximum 130, the fluid is guided down the plunging hyperbolic distal surface 144 of the internal baffle 110a toward the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a. The approximate location of the minimum 132 corresponds, in preferred embodiments, to the approximate location of the external baffle 110b, such that there is an alternating series of compression and expansion zones. Compression occurs between the (i) internal baffle maximum 130 and the internal periphery of the suppressor, and then again (ii) between the internal baffle minimum 132 and the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b. Expansion occurs in the pathway 170 between the internal baffle maximum 132 and the external baffle. So the fluid expands as it travels along the plunging hyperbolic distal surface 144 until the fluid contacts the external baffle, and is once again compressed to penetrate the relatively narrow gateway formed between the external baffle 110b and the internal baffle 110a. The distal surface 148 of the external baffle has the least effect of all baffle surfaces on the fluid within the pathway. The preferred distal surface juts at approximately the same angle and curvature as the proximal surface.

The positioning of the external baffle may vary considerably in performing the present invention, as may the quantity of external baffles. The present invention may even feature no external baffles and rely purely on the gateways formed by the internal baffle maxima 130 and the internal periphery of the suppressor, in which cases a separable sleeve 120 is not required. In discussing the present invention the term sleeve 120 is utilized to designate the internal periphery of the suppressor. The sleeve may be considered to be a separable item due to the nature of the configuration of the external baffles with respect to the internal baffles. Because the internal baffles and external baffles intercalate, construction of the present invention may require that the sleeve be a separable component that is the bifurcated along its length to permit placement of the sleeve around the base 110. To form a stop for the fluid within the suppressor, either the base 110 or the sleeve may include a stop plate 124. The stop plate 124 is the portion of the sleeve that forms a boundary for the parthway 170 that ensures that fluid does not exit the suppressor, except through the projectile passage 160. Fluid exits the pathway 170 through the return 102, which allows the fluid to re-enter the passage 160 and exit the outlet 164.

The specific angles and plunge of the surfaces may be varied to suit the firearm to which the suppressor is attached. The slope of the internal baffle distal surface is such that the change in slope diminishes along the length of the baffle in the direction of the fluid 160. In other words, the greatest change in slope is immediately after the internal baffle maximum while at the internal baffle minimum the slope changes relatively little. The minimum may be present along a relatively great length of the internal baffle such that the minimum applies to roughly 10-20% of the internal baffle length. The external baffle proximal surface may curve with the fluid flow, as shown specifically in FIG. 13, to permit the smooth transition of fluid to the gateway between the internal baffle and external baffle as well as the bottlenecking of fluid as it transitions from the proximal surface of the internal baffle to the distal surface of the internal baffle.

Turning now to FIGS. 18-25, another preferred embodiment of the suppressor 100 is depicted. The suppressor 100 includes a with a base inlet 162 that allows passage of a projectile from the barrel 900 into the suppressor 100. The base inlet 162 is the beginning of the projectile passage 160 within the . From the base inlet 162 to the base outlet 164 a projectile travels within the suppressor 100. Because the present invention utilizes toroidal fluid flow to alternatively focus and then diverge gasses within the suppressor, and the supports internal baffles 110a, there is a need to allow ingress, and then at the distal portion of the suppressor, egress, of fluid into/from a fluid pathway 170. The fluid pathway 170 allows a secondary path for the escape of fluid from the suppressor other than the passage 160. The alternative pathway allows for the fluid manipulations that permit a suppressor to operate effectively. Fluids have two courses within the suppressor: fluid may either flow behind the projectile within the passage 160, or the fluid may enter the fluid pathway 170 in the spaces flanking the passage 160 through the gate 104.

When fluid has passed through the gate 104, it is now in the fluid pathway 170 of the embodiment of FIGS. 18-25, and the fluid begins to be contoured by the baffles 110. Internal baffles 110a act to contact fluid at an outer point and constrict the fluid to a narrower, and denser, profile. Fluid first contacts a proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a. In the embodiment of FIGS. 18-25, the proximal surface 142 may take the form of an oblique angle formed against the fluid flow. For purposes of the present invention, oblique angle has the following meaning: an angle with respect to the passage 160 that is slanted with respect to the projectile passage. Although the term “oblique” typically includes connotations that do not include a right angle, it is a primary aspect of the present invention that the proximal surface 142 presents a surface upon which fluid contacts the proximal surface in an obstructive manner. It is preferred that the proximal surface not present a barrier upon which fluid is guided, but rather present a surface upon which fluid enters the interior of the internal baffle 110a to contact a barrier. Thus it is with such intent that the present application uses the terms “with” and “against” to describe structures of the invention. “Against” includes structures that lean into or direct fluid flow back into the direction of fluid flow either in the passage 160 or pathway 170. When “against” is used with oblique” in the present invention, it is meant to include right angles because a right angle is an angle that presents a flat surface to a fluid flow to cause bounce-back. “With” includes structures that lean in the direction of or maintains the direction of fluid flow commensurate with the existing direction of fluid flow either in the passage 160 or pathway 170. “With” and “against” include a general urging of air proximally or distally, not necessarily at any particular angle. For most common applications, fluid flow will be travelling “with” a projectile fired from the barrel toward the direction of the outlet 164, in other words, as pointed by the directional arrows of the fluid pathway 170.

A preferred proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a is an oblique angle that allows fluid to enter the internal baffle to create a turbulent flow as the fluid bounces against the proximal surface 142 into fluid that is continuing to enter the pathway 170 as well as the fluid that is continuing to enter the internal baffle 110a. Naturally, the direction of the fluid stream is in the direction of the gate 104 to a return 102, and from the inlet 162 to the outlet 164. The internal baffle 110a includes a maximum 130 and minimum 132. The maximum 130 is a measurement of the radial maximum extent to which the internal baffle projects into the pathway 170. The minimum 132 is the minimum extent to which the internal baffle 110a projects into the pathway 170. The fluid contacts the proximal surface 142 and is guided to the internal baffle maximum 130, which preferably creates a narrowed aperture between the baffle 110a and the sleeve 120 through which the fluid passes. As the fluid passes between the maximum 130 and the sleeve 120, the fluid is now exposed to a relatively larger volume and the obstructive barrier of the proximal surface 142 is replaced by the guiding barrier of the distal surface 144. The distal surface 144 is a curved, hyperbolic surface such that when the baffle 110a is viewed in 3-dimensions, the baffle 110a takes the shape of a partially-hollowed hyperbolic cone truncated about the passage 160. The slope of the internal baffle distal surface 144 is non-linear, rather the hyperbolic nature of the surface results in a surface that would be below a hypothetical straight line drawn from the maximum 130 to the nearest point on the minimum 132. Such a surface permits airflow to focus about a roughly conical converging point near the internal baffle minimum 132. The internal baffle minimum 132 is the portion of the internal baffle that having the smallest longitudinal radius that nonetheless substantially contacts fluid in the secondary pathway 170.

Preferably the internal baffle minima 132 are positioned proximate to the external baffle maxima 134. The external baffles 110b are baffles 110 that are affixed to the outer portion of the suppressor 100, here the sleeve 120, that juts into the interior central portion of the suppressor to contour fluid flow within the suppressor. The external baffle 110b is a baffle 110 that guides fluid flow inwardly from exterior portions. In a preferred embodiment, the external baffle 110a is sized to present an oblique angle with the flow of fluid within the passage 170. Unlike the interior baffle 110a, there is not a strong preference for the proximal surface 146 of the external baffle to present an obstructing barrier to the flow of fluid. Instead, the external baffle may include proximal surfaces that angle into the fluid flow to guide the fluid toward the maxima 134 of the external baffles 100b. The external baffles of the present figures include a proximal surface 146 and distal surface 148 both angled with the fluid flow within the pathway 170. Angled surface and curved surfaces can have different advantages and detriments with respect to each other.

The external baffles, for purposes of this description shall include much of the vocabulary of the internal baffles. For example, the external baffles include a proximal surface 146, which is the surface of the baffle that would initially contact fluid flow in its natural course through the pathway 170. The external baffles also include a distal surface 148, which includes the surface facing in the direction of the fluid flow through the pathway 170. The external baffles 110b have a maximum 134, which is the greatest extent to which the external baffles 110b jut into the interior of the suppressor 100. The external baffles 110b also possess a minimum 136, which is the least extent that fluid within the suppressor 100 can contact the baffle 110b.

It is preferred to have external baffles 110b that jut with both the proximal surface 146 and distal surface 148 with the fluid flow. As can be seen in particular detail in FIGS. 21 and 25, the external baffle 110b forms an obstruction that creates two bottlenecks. The first bottleneck is similar to the bottleneck created by the first embodiment discussed, between the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b and the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a, and then again between the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b and the maximum 132 of the internal baffle 110a. Thus fluid passes between the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b and the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a to enter the interior of the internal baffle for turbulent contact.

The preferred dimensions of the external baffle 110b are those of annular rings extending from the interior periphery of the suppressor, which in instances of construction that include a sleeve, would include extend from the sleeve 120. As fluid contacts the proximal surface 142 of the internal baffle 110a, the fluid is turbulently rebounded back into the pathway 170 of the suppressor. The fluid is then guided between the interior periphery of the suppressor, here the sleeve 120, and the maximum 130 of the internal baffle 110a. Once the fluid penetrates the relatively tight space between the sleeve 120 and the baffle maximum 130, the fluid is guided down the plunging hyperbolic distal surface 144 of the internal baffle 110a toward the minimum 132 of the internal baffle 110a. The approximate location of the minimum 132 corresponds, in preferred embodiments, to the approximate location of the external baffle 110b, such that there is an alternating series of compression and expansion zones. Compression occurs between the (i) internal baffle maximum 130 and the internal periphery of the suppressor, and then again (ii) between the internal baffle minimum 132 and the maximum 134 of the external baffle 110b. Expansion occurs in the pathway 170 between the internal baffle maximum 132 and the external baffle. So the fluid expands as it travels along the plunging hyperbolic distal surface 144 until the fluid contacts the external baffle, and is once again compressed to penetrate the relatively narrow gateway formed between the external baffle 110b and the internal baffle 110a. The distal surface 148 of the external baffle has the least effect of all baffle surfaces on the fluid within the pathway. The preferred distal surface juts at approximately the same angle and curvature as the proximal surface.

The positioning of the external baffle may vary considerably in performing the present invention, as may the quantity of external baffles. The present invention may even feature no external baffles and rely purely on the gateways formed by the internal baffle maxima 130 and the internal periphery of the suppressor, in which cases a separable sleeve 120 is not required. In discussing the present invention the term sleeve 120 is utilized to designate the internal periphery of the suppressor. The sleeve may be considered to be a separable item due to the nature of the configuration of the external baffles with respect to the internal baffles. Because the internal baffles and external baffles intercalate, construction of the present invention may require that the sleeve be a separable component that is the bifurcated along its length to permit placement of the sleeve around the base 110. To form a stop for the fluid within the suppressor, either the base 110 or the sleeve may include a stop plate 124. The stop plate 124 is the portion of the sleeve that forms a boundary for the pathway 170 that ensures that fluid does not exit the suppressor, except through the projectile passage 160. Fluid exits the pathway 170 through the return 102, which allows the fluid to re-enter the passage 160 and exit the outlet 164.

The specific angles and plunge of the surfaces may be varied to suit the firearm to which the suppressor is attached. The slope of the internal baffle distal surface is such that the change in slope diminishes along the length of the baffle in the direction of the fluid 160. In other words, the greatest change in slope is immediately after the internal baffle maximum while at the internal baffle minimum the slope changes relatively little. The minimum may be present along a relatively great length of the internal baffle such that the minimum applies to roughly 10-20% of the internal baffle length. The external baffle proximal surface may angle with the fluid flow, as shown specifically in FIGS. 21 and 25, to permit the smooth transition of fluid to the gateway between the internal baffle and external baffle as well as the bottlenecking of fluid as it transitions from the proximal surface of the internal baffle to the distal surface of the internal baffle.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A firearm suppressor comprising:

a barrel port adapted to affix to a firearm barrel; and

an external baffle network, adjacent to said barrel port and surrounding a projectile passage directed from said barrel port, defining a series of pathway apertures having: (i) a external baffle proximal surface defining a pathway aperture portion angled to both diverge from said projectile pathway to an external baffle maxima and extend along said projectile pathway; and (ii) and an external baffle distal surface defining a pathway aperture portion from said external baffle maxima returning to said projectile pathway and in opposition to said projectile pathway.

2. The suppressor of claim 1 comprising at least two distinct pathway aperture series.

3. The suppressor of claim 2 wherein said distinct pathway aperture series are approximately radially equidistant.

4. The suppressor of claim 3 comprising at least three distinct pathway aperture series.

5. The suppressor of claim 2 wherein said at least two distinct pathway aperture series are sequentially staggered.

6. A firearm suppressor comprising:

a port adapted to affix to a firearm barrel, a base and a sleeve that form a closed, continuous pathway aperture;

a base, adjacent to said barrel port and surrounding a projectile passage directed from said barrel port from an inlet to an outlet, comprising a gate, proximate to said inlet, leading from said passage to an internal baffle network defining an internal baffle proximal surface obliquely angled against said pathway and an internal baffle distal surface angled into said pathway and terminating in a return, proximate to said outlet, leading from said internal baffle network to said passage; and

a sleeve, circumscribing said base, comprising an external baffle network, intercalated within said internal baffle network, defining an external baffle proximal surface and an external baffle distal surface.

7. The suppressor of claim 6 wherein said internal baffle proximal surface includes an angle greater than 90 degrees oriented against said passage.

8. The suppressor of claim 6 wherein said internal baffle distal surface length is greater than said internal baffle proximal surface length.

9. The suppressor of claim 6 wherein said internal baffle proximal distal length is greater than ½ of said internal baffle proximal surface length.

10. The suppressor of claim 6 wherein said external baffle proximal surface is obliquely angled into said pathway oriented with said passage.

11. The suppressor of claim 9 wherein said external baffle distal surface is obliquely angled into said pathway oriented with said passage.

12. A firearm suppressor comprising:

a port adapted to affix to a firearm barrel, a base and a sleeve that form a closed, continuous pathway aperture;

said base, adjacent to said barrel port and surrounding a projectile passage directed from said barrel port from an inlet to an outlet, comprising a gate, proximate to said inlet, leading from said passage to an internal baffle network defining an internal baffle proximal surface obliquely angled against said pathway and an internal baffle distal surface angled into said pathway and terminating in a return, proximate to said outlet, leading from said internal baffle network to said passage; and

said sleeve, circumscribing said base, comprising an external baffle network, intercalated within said internal baffle network, defining an external baffle proximal surface obliquely angled into said pathway and an external baffle distal surface obliquely angled into said pathway.

13. The suppressor of claim 12 wherein said internal baffle proximal surface includes an angle greater than 90 degrees.

14. The suppressor of claim 12 wherein said internal baffle distal surface length is greater than said internal baffle proximal surface length.

15. The suppressor of claim 12 wherein said internal baffle distal surface length is greater than ½ of said internal proximal distal surface length.

16. The suppressor of claim 12 wherein said external baffle proximal surface is obliquely angled into said pathway oriented with said passage.

17. The suppressor of claim 15 wherein said external baffle distal surface is obliquely angled into said pathway oriented with said passage.