MODULAR GUN SILENCER WITH HEAT DISSIPATOR

Abstract

A canister for a silencer assembly including one or more fins is disclosed. The one or more fins can define one or more channels. The fins and the channels together can increase the surface area of the silencer assembly, thereby increasing the rate of heat dissipation from the silencer assembly.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57 and should be considered a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Field

This invention relates broadly to gun silencers that can be readily assembled and disassembled in the field in a variety of different configurations, and more particularly to a modular gun silencer with improved heat dissipation.

Description of the Related Art

There are a number of gun silencers on the market having various baffles and intermediate spacers mounted in outer tubes thereof. However, existing silencers have a variety of drawbacks. For example, many of these gun silencers do not provide sufficient rate of heat dissipation, causing the silencers to overheat. The heat generated from firing ammunition can accumulate and often cause heat related distortions and baffle strikes during use, which can degrade performance of the silencer and negatively affect the trajectory of the projectile. This is especially true for firearms capable of rapid fire, such as automatic and semiautomatic firearms (e.g., high caliber machine guns).

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to prove a durable gun silencer which adequately dissipates heat generated while simultaneously cycling automatic and semiautomatic guns, preventing muzzle flash, not being unduly heavy, working with most sizes of ammunition, having a small number of different parts, being easily assembled, and being relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to disassemble and clean. Such improvements can prevent heat related distortions and baffle strikes during use.

In accordance with one aspect, a gun silencer system is provided. The gun silencer system can include a proximal end, a distal end, a canister, and a chamber separator. The proximal end can couple to a gun barrel at a muzzle thereof. The canister can be positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The canister can include a cylindrical cavity defining a first axis and a first plurality of fins radially extending outwardly from an outer surface of the canister. The first plurality of fins can be characterized by a first length, where each of the first plurality of fins can include a tip and a base coupled to the outer surface of the canister. The chamber separator can be positioned along the first axis and spaced apart from the proximal end and the distal end. The chamber separator and the distal end can define an expansion chamber. The first plurality of fins can increase a surface area of the canister and thereby can increase a rate of heat dissipation of the canister.

The first length of the first plurality of fins may optionally be between 0.2 inches and 2 inches. The first plurality of finds may optionally extend along at least a portion of a length of the first canister. Any two adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins may optionally spaced by a first angle, wherein the first angle is between 3 degrees and 25 degrees. The first plurality of fins may optionally equally spaced and positioned along an outer circumference of the first canister. A width of the first plurality of fins may optionally vary along the first length of the first plurality of fins. The first plurality of fins may optionally define a first plurality of channels, wherein a width of the plurality of channels may optionally vary along a length of adjacent fins. The first length of the first plurality of fins may optionally be less than a radius of the first canister.

The first canister further may optionally include a second plurality of fins characterized by a second length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

The gun silencer system may optionally include a second canister including a plurality of fins and encasing at least a portion of the tube. The plurality of fins of the second canister may optionally be characterized by a length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a gun silencer system is provided. The gun silencer system can include a tube, a canister, and a chamber separator. The tube can extend from a proximal end configured to couple to a gun barrel at a muzzle thereof to a distal end. The tube can define a first axis. The canister can be positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The canister can include a cylindrical cavity defining a first axis and a first plurality of fins radially extending outwardly and transversally in relation to the first axis from an outer surface of the canister. The first plurality of fins can be characterized by a first length, where each of the first plurality of fins can include a tip and a base coupled to the outer surface of the canister. The chamber separator can be positioned along the first axis and spaced apart from the proximal end and the distal end. The chamber separator and the distal end can define an expansion chamber. The canister can be removably coupled to the tube.

The first plurality of fins may optionally extend along at least a portion of a length of the first canister. The first canister may optionally encase at least a portion of the tube. A width of the first plurality of fins may optionally vary along the first length of the first plurality of fins. The first plurality of fins may optionally define a first plurality of channels, wherein a width of the plurality of channels may optionally vary along a length of adjacent fins. The first length of the first plurality of fins may optionally be less than a radius of the first canister or a radius of the tube. Any two adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins may optionally be spaced by a first angle, wherein the first angle is between 3 degrees and 25 degrees. The first plurality of fins may optionally be equally spaced and positioned along an outer circumference of the first canister.

The first canister further may optionally comprises a second plurality of fins characterized by a second length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

The gun silencer system may optionally include a second canister including a plurality of fins. The plurality of fins of the second canister may optionally be characterized by a length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a silencer assembly.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the assembly in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged partial view of a proximal exploded section of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged partial view of a center exploded section of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged partial view of a distal exploded section of the silencer of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4C are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a tube of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A-5D are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a back expansion chamber of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A-6D are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a center piece of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A-7D are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a back extension of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8A-8C are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of an end cap of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 9A-9C are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a nut of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10A-10D are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a spinner of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11A-11C are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of a chamber separator of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12A-12C are a perspective view and cross-sectional view of an adapter of the silencer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a silencer assembly.

FIGS. 13B and 13C are perspective views of the silencer assembly of FIG. 13A without an outer canister.

FIGS. 14A-14C are cross-sectional views of the silencer assembly of FIG. 13A.

FIGS. 15A-15D are cross-sectional views of the silencer assembly of FIG. 13A along the lines shown in FIGS. 14A-14C.

FIG. 15E is a left-side end view of the silencer assembly shown in FIGS. 13A, 14A.

FIG. 15F is a right-side end view of the silencer assembly shown in FIGS. 13A, 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Modular Silencer Assembly

FIGS. 1-12C shows a modular silencer assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes an adapter or proximal cap 1 that can removably couple (e.g., via threads) to a proximal end 12 of a tube 10 (see FIGS. 4A-4C). The tube 10 can have a length L, which can optionally be approximately 5 inches, approximately 7 inches, approximately 9 inches, or approximately 11 inches. The tube 10 can have other suitable lengths L.

A rear or proximal expansion chamber 2′ can be defined between a proximal tube portion 2 and an inner surface 11 of the tube 10. The proximal tube portion 2 can have a threaded end 2a (see FIGS. 5A-5D) that removably couples to a threaded coupling 1a (see FIGS. 12A-12C) of the adapter or proximal cap 1. The proximal tube portion 2 also has a reduced threaded end 2b that optionally extends through an opening 3a of a chamber separator 3 (see FIGS. 11A-11C) and a lip 2c that optionally abuts against a shoulder 3b of the chamber separator 3. The reduced threaded end 2b optionally extends within and couples to an end 4a of a center piece or intermediate tube portion 4 (see FIGS. 6A-6D). An opposite reduced end 4b of the center piece 4 optionally extends through another chamber separator 3 so that a lip 4c of the center piece 4 optionally abuts against a shoulder 3b of the chamber separator 3. An intermediate expansion chamber 4′ can be defined between the center piece or intermediate tube portion 4 and the inner surface 11 of the tube 10. The opposite reduced end 4b of the center piece 4 can optionally extend within and couple to the end 4a of another center piece 4. Any number (e.g., a plurality) of center pieces or intermediate tube portions 4 and chamber separators 3 can be removably coupled, depending on the length of the tube 10 that houses the components of the silencer assembly 100.

In FIGS. 1-3C, the modular silencer assembly 100 has ten chamber separators 3 and nine center pieces or intermediate tube portions 4. However, this number can vary. The chamber separators 3 can optionally be cone shaped and face rearward toward the firearm (e.g., wide portion of cone faces away from firearm), which allows for reduced recoil and additional noise reduction. Optionally, an outermost edge of the chamber separator 3 can be knurled.

Once the last center piece or intermediate tube portion 4 has been coupled, a final chamber separator 3 is disposed over the reduced end 4b of said center piece 4 and said reduced end 4b can optionally extend into and couple to an end 5a of a distal tube portion 5 (see FIGS. 7A-7D). The distal tube portion 5 can have an opposite end 5b that can extend through an opening 6a in an end cap 6 (see FIGS. 8A-8C). A distal or front expansion chamber 5′ can be defined between the distal tube portion 5 and the inner surface 11 of the tube 10.

The cap 6 can couple to an opposite end 14 of the tube 10. The opposite end 5b can threadably couple with a threaded opening 7a of a nut 7 (see FIGS. 9A-9C) that can be rotated adjacent the cap 6 to thereby complete the assembly of the modular silencer 100.

The proximal tube portion 2, intermediate tube portions 4 and distal tube portion 5 defined a continuous, uninterrupted center tube when assembled together that advantageously provides low back pressure, inhibits projectile buffeting, and achieves reduced or little blowback and greater shot accuracy.

The silencer 100 optionally defines bores in the various components (e.g., adapter, back expansion chamber, chamber separators, center pieces, front expansion chamber, end cap and nut) though which discharge from a muzzle of a gun barrel travels as the projectile (e.g., bullet) is fired through the silencer TOO. Advantageously, the threaded coupling of the nut 7 on the end 5b of the distal tube portion 5 applies a tension force and stabilizes the components of the silencer assembly 100. Advantageously, this creates a tensile strength supported system that is stable, inhibits (e.g., prevents) heat related distortions or chamber separator strikes (e.g., strikes between the filed bullet and one or more chamber separators) during use of the silencer 100, is light weight, modular, and easy to clean and assemble.

The proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and distal tube portion 5 can optionally have one or more angled openings or swirls 2d, 4d, 5d that extend through the wall of the proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and distal tube portion 5, respectively. The proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and distal tube portion 5 can optionally have multiple angled openings or swirls 2d, 4d, 5d. The one or more angled openings or swirls 2d, 4d, 5d can extend at an angle α relative to a central axis X1 (e.g., axis of symmetry) of the proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and distal tube portion 5.

The one or more angled openings or swirls 2d, 4d, 5d can optionally extend at an angle of approximately 37 degrees relative to said axis. However, they can extend at other suitable angles. Advantageously, the one or more angled openings or swirls of the proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and distal tube portion 5 facilitate a disruptive gas release pattern during operation (e.g., when a bullet is fired through the silencer 100), and optionally facilitate application of a left hand torque on the assembly 100 to retain the assembly 100 tightly secured to the muzzle of the firearm. Applicant has found that the silencer assembly 100 reduces the noise level to less than about 124 decibels, for example to about 100 decibels, which is much lower than the noise suppression performance of existing silencer designs. Alternatively, the angled openings or swirls can be excluded from the proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and/or distal tube portion 5. Alternatively, a plurality of openings (e.g., in an array) can be formed through the walls of the proximal tube portion 2, center pieces 4 and/or distal tube portion 5 that are not angled relative to their central axes (e.g., axes of symmetry).

The end cap 6 can have a plurality of openings 6b (e.g., ventilation openings) along its outer periphery 6c, thereby allowing dispersion of heat and gas during use of the silencer assembly 100. Optionally, the plurality of openings 6b can be arranged at an angle relative to an axis of the end cap 6. The angle can optionally be approximately 37 degrees. However, other suitable angles can be used.

Optionally, the silencer assembly 100 can include a spinner 8 disposed about one or more of the center pieces 4. The spinner 8 can optionally have a beveled end 8a (see FIGS. 10A-10D) that can sit on a shoulder portion 3c of the chamber separator 3, and an opposite end 8b. The spinner 8 can optionally have a plurality of holes 8c on its body through which gas can pass. The spinner 8 can optionally have an array of holes 8c arranged in rows. Optionally, the holes 8c arranged in rows can be arranged to extend at an angle γ relative to the axis X2 (e.g., central axis, or axis of symmetry) of the spinner 8. The angle γ at which the rows of holes 8c extend can optionally be generally the same as the angle α of the one or more angled openings or swirls 2d, 4d, 5d. The spinner 8 can optionally freely spin or rotate about the axis of the center piece 4. Advantageously, rotation of the spinner 8 can disrupt gas flow and utilize the expended energy to spin and convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, thus dispersing heat and pressure and providing pressure wave reduction during use of the silencer 100, further dissipating heat and sound. Applicant has found that the silencer assembly of FIG. 1 has resulted in about a 20% increase in efficiency (e.g., in dissipating heat and sound).

An outer canister 20 can optionally be fastened over the tube 10 and attached to the adapter 1 and cap 6. Accordingly, the adapter 1 and cap 6 hold the outer canister 20 in place relative to the tube 10. Optionally, the outer canister 20 can be dimensioned so that it is radially spaced apart from the tube 10 to define an air gap therebetween. Alternatively, the outer canister 20 can be dimensioned to snuggly fit over the tube 10. Optionally, the outer canister 20 can be made of carbon fiber, which advantageously inhibits overheating of the outer surface of the silencer assembly 100 during use and inhibits burn injuries to users from touching the silencer assembly 100 following prolonged use (e.g., after firing hundreds of rounds of ammunition). Optionally, the outer canister 20 can have an inside diameter of about 1.5 inches and an outside diameter of between about 1.7 inches and about 1.75 inches. The outer canister 20 is preferably made of a carbon fiber material having low thermal conductivity to inhibit the canister 20 from heating up significantly during use of the silencer 100.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-12C, once assembled in the tube 10 under tension, as described above, the outermost edge of the chamber separators 3 is spaced from the inner surface 11 of the tube 10 to advantageously allow for gas equalization between chambers, allowing the gasses to flow rearward in the silencer 100, thereby controlling and cooling expanding gases and equalizing pressures between the proximal, intermediate and distal expansion chambers. Optionally, the outermost edge of the chamber separators 3 is spaced from the inner surface 11 of the tube 10 by a gap G of approximately 0.001 inches. However, other suitable dimensions can be used. As discussed above, an outermost edge of the chamber separator 3 can be knurled. The knurled edge of the chamber separators 3, alone or in combination with the gap G, can advantageously facilitate laminar flow through the channels or grooves defined by the knurled edge (e.g., allowing flow of a plurality of gas jets via the channels or grooves), which allows for equalization of pressure between the chambers (e.g., chambers 2′, 4′, 5′), leading to enhanced noise suppression and/or heat dissipation.

As discussed above, the silencer assembly 100 is advantageously modular and can be assembled (e.g., in the field) in a variety of sizes, utilizing a correspondingly sized tube 10. For example, the silencer assembly 100 can be assembled in sizes between about 12 inches and about 5 inches, such as 11.5 in., 9.5 in., 7.5 in. and 5.5 in. The silencer assembly 100 can advantageously be disassembled in the field (without the use of tools) for ease of cleaning and maintenance. For example, the internal components of the silencer assembly 100 can be disassembled and one or more of the components (e.g., one or more of the proximal tube portion 2, intermediate tube portions 4, distal tube portion 5, chamber separators 3, and/or spinners 8 can be replaced). Additionally, as discussed above, the length of the silencer assembly 100 can be adjusted by incorporating a different number of the components (e.g., proximal tube portion 2, intermediate tube portions 4, distal tube portion 5, chamber separators 3, and/or spinners 8) in a tube 10 with different length L. Optionally, the components of the silencer assembly 100, except for the canister 20, can be made of Titanium (e.g., 6AL Titanium). The silencer assembly 100 can advantageously weigh less than 20 ounces.

Advantageously, the silencer assembly 100 can be used with different firearms (e.g., bolt action, direct impingement and piston guns), and with automatic or semi-automatic weapons, without requiring modification. In particular, the silencer assembly 100 does not require the use of an adjustable gas block, and can be used with supersonic and subsonic ammunition. Additionally, the silencer assembly 100 inhibits (e.g., prevents) muzzle flash.

Heat Dissipating Canister

FIGS. 13A-15F schematically illustrate a silencer assembly 200. Some of the features of silencer assembly 200 are similar to features of the silencer assembly 100 in FIGS. 1-12C. Thus, references numerals used to designate the various components of the silencer assembly 200 are identical to those used for identifying the corresponding components of the silencer assembly 100 in FIGS. 1-12C, except that the numerical identifier is in the 100s. Therefore, the structure and description for the various features of the silencer assembly 100 in FIGS. 1-12C are understood to also apply to the corresponding features of the silencer assembly 200 in FIGS. 13A-15F, except as described below.

The silencer assembly 200 can include a canister 120 that include one or more fins 210 (e.g., a plurality of fins) extending outwardly from a surface of the canister 120. As shown in FIGS. 13A, 15E and 15F, the fins 210 can optionally be arranged circumferentially (e.g., along an entire circumference) of the canister 200. The fins 210 can extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the length (e.g., along an entire length) of the canister 200. The fins 210 can define one or more channels 220. The fins 210 and the channels 220 can advantageously increase the surface area of the canister 120, thereby improving the rate of heat dissipation or exchange of the canister 120 (e.g., via convection heat transfer with air that flows over the fins 210). Additional details regarding the fins 210 and the channels 220 will be further provided below.

FIGS. 13B and 13C illustrate the silencer assembly 200 without the canister 120. The silencer assembly 200 can include a proximal cap 101, a proximal tube portion 102, one or more chamber separators 103, one or more center pieces 104, a distal tube portion 105, an end cap 106, a nut 107, and one or more spinners 108.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate various cross-sectional view of the silencer assembly 200. The adapter or proximal cap 101 and end cap 106 can removably couple to opposite ends of the canister 120 (e.g., via a threaded connection between threaded ends of the canister 120 and threaded portions of the proximal cap 101 and end cap 106). However, the end cap 106 and proximal cap 101 can mechanically couple to opposite ends of the canister 120 in other suitable ways (e.g., key-slot arrangement). Optionally, the proximal cap 101 can removably couple to a proximal tube portion 102. In another implementation, shown in FIG. 14A, the proximal cap 101 and the proximal tube portion 102 may be integrated together as component single piece (e.g., monolithic, seamless piece). The proximal tube portion 102 can be removably coupled with any number of center pieces 104, depending on the length of the canister 120 that houses the components of the silencer assembly 200. The silencer assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 14A-14C has five center pieces 104, each center piece 104 coupled to another center piece 104 (e.g., via a threaded connection). The proximal tube portion 102, the chamber separator 103, and the center piece 104 can interact and couple in a same way the proximal tube portion 2, the chamber separator 3, and the center piece 4 of the silencer assembly 100 described above in connection with FIGS. 1-12C.

Various components of the silencer assembly 200 can define different expansion chambers. The canister 120 and the chamber separators 103 can define one or more intermediate expansion chambers 104′. The canister 120 and the proximal tube portion 102 can define a proximal expansion chamber 102′ shown in FIG. 14B. The canister 120 and the distal tube portion 105 can define a distal expansion chamber 105′ shown in FIG. 14C.

A distal end of the distal tube portion 105 can removably extend through the end cap 106 and couple with one or both of the end cap 106 and the nut 107. Optionally, the distal tube portion 105 couples (e.g., via a threaded connection) only to the nut 107 (e.g., it only extends through an opening in the end cap 106 without coupling to it). The end cap 106 can define a distal end of the silencer assembly 200. Coupling of the nut 107 and the distal tube portion 105 can advantageously apply tension force and stabilize the components of the silencer assembly 200, as discussed above in connection with the silencer assembly 100 of FIGS. 1-12C.

The silencer assembly 200 can include one or more of the spinners 108 disposed about one or more of the center pieces 104. Optionally, each spinner 108 can be disposed between at least a portion of a center piece 104 and at least a portion of a chamber separator 103. As discussed above, the spinners 108 can optionally include one or more holes that can disrupt air flow inside the silencer assembly 200 when the spinners 108 are rotated about the one or more center pieces 104, thereby converting chemical and/or thermal energy into mechanical energy.

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate various cross-sectional views, and FIGS. 15E-15F illustrate end views, of the silencer assembly 200 at different positions, showing additional details of the canister 120 that includes one or more of the fins 210. The canister 120 can include a cylindrical body forming a cylindrical cavity that defines a first axis (e.g., a central axis, an axis of symmetry). The proximal tube portion 102, the one or more chamber separators 103, the one or more spinners 108, the one or more center pieces 104, and the distal tube portion 105 can be positioned along the first axis and within the canister 120. The canister 120 can be removably coupled to the silencer assembly 200.

The canister 120 of the silencer assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 15A-15F has twenty-four fins 210. Optionally, the number of the fins 210 of the canister 120 can vary depending on the size of the canister 120, the dimensions of the fins 210, type of the firearm, rate of fire of the firearm, desired heat dissipation rate, and the like. The fins 210 of the canister 120 can increase the surface area of the canister 120, thereby increase the amount of heat dissipated from the silencer assembly 200. Optionally, the increase in the surface area of the canister 120 can increase the rate of heat dissipation or transfer of the silencer assembly 200. An increase in the number of the fins 210 can result in increased rate of heat dissipation of the canister 120.

The fins 210 can extend along a length of the 120. Optionally, the fins 210 can extend along at least a portion of the length of the canister 120. The canister 120 can include one or more fins 210 that extend longitudinally along an axis parallel to the length of the canister 120.

The fins 210 can include a tip and a base that is coupled to a body of the canister 120. The base of the fins 210 can be characterized by a first width W1. The tip of the fins 210 can be characterized by a second width W2 (i.e., the fins 210 taper toward the outer tip, or free end of the fin). The fins 210 shown in FIG. 15A have the first width W1 greater than the second width W2. Optionally, the first width W1 can be less than or equal to the second width W2. A width of the fins 210 can vary along a length of the fins 210. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15A-15F, the fins 210 can taper in thickness as they extend radially outward from a circumference of the canister 120. Optionally, a width of the fins 210 may be the same along a length of the fins 210. Optionally, the fins 210 can increase in thickness as they extend radially outward from a circumference of the canister 120.

The first width W1 of the base of the fin 210 can be between about 0.05 inches and about 0.6 inches, between about 0.1 inches and about 0.55 inches, between about 0.15 inches and about 0.5 inches, between about 0.2 inches and about 0.45 inches, between about 0.25 inches and about 0.4 inches, between about 0.3 inches and about 0.35 inches, or about 0.05 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.6 inches, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values.

The second width W2 of the tip of the fin 210 can be about 0.05 inches and about 0.6 inches, between about 0.1 inches and about 0.55 inches, between about 0.15 inches and about 0.5 inches, between about 0.2 inches and about 0.45 inches, between about 0.25 inches and about 0.4 inches, between about 0.3 inches and about 0.35 inches, or about 0.05 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.6 inches, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values.

The channels 220 can be characterized by at least a first distance D1 and a second distance D2 (see FIG. 15B). A distance between the bases of the fins 210 can define the first distance D1. A distance between the tips of the fins 210 can define the second distance D2 of the channels 220. The channels 220 of the canister 120 shown in FIG. 15B have the first distance D1 less than the second distance D2. Optionally, the first distance D1 can be greater than or equal to the second distance D2. Optionally, distance between any two of the fins 210 may the same along the length of the fins 210.

The first distance D1 can be about 0.05 inches and about 0.6 inches, between about 0.1 inches and about 0.55 inches, between about 0.15 inches and about 0.5 inches, between about 0.2 inches and about 0.45 inches, between about 0.25 inches and about 0.4 inches, between about 0.3 inches and about 0.35 inches, or about 0.05 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.6 inches, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values. Optionally, the first distance of the channels 220 may be zero.

The second distance D2 can be about 0.05 inches and about 0.6 inches, between about 0.1 inches and about 0.55 inches, between about 0.15 inches and about 0.5 inches, between about 0.2 inches and about 0.45 inches, between about 0.25 inches and about 0.4 inches, between about 0.3 inches and about 0.35 inches, or about 0.05 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.6 inches, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values.

The fins 210 can have a length L that can be between about 0.2 inches and about 2 inches, between about 0.3 inches and about 1.75 inches, between about 0.4 inches and about 1.5 inches, between about 0.5 inches and about 1.25 inches, between about 0.75 inches and about 1 inch, or about 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.8 inches, 0.9 inches, 1 inch, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.75 inches, 2 inches, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values.

The length L of the fins 210 can be greater than, less than, or equal to a radius R of the canister 120. An increase in the length L of the fins 210 can increase the total surface area of the fins 210, which can be advantageous in dissipating heat generated within the silencer assembly 200. The length L of the fins 210 can be greater than, less than, or equal to the first distance D1 and/or the second distance D2 of the channels 220. Likewise, the length L of the fins 210 can be greater than, less than, or equal to the first width W1 and/or the second width W2 of the fins 210. Optionally, a ratio of the length L to the radius R of the canister 120 may be between about 0.1 and about 1, between about 0.2 and about 0.9, between about 0.3 and about 0.8, between about 0.4 and about 0.7, between about 0.5 and 0.6, or about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values.

The fins 210 can extend along the length of the canister 120 substantially straight as shown in FIGS. 15A-15F. In another implementation, the fins 210 may not extend straight and have one or more non-straight edges. For example, in one implementation, the fins 210 can extend in a swirl pattern. In another example, the fins 210 can extend in an arcuate shape (e.g., in a C-shape or S-shape).

In another implementation, the canister 120 can include one or more fins 210 that are disks extending along the circumference of the canister 120 and spaced apart along the length L of the canister 120. Optionally, the fins 210 can extend from at least a portion of the circumference of the canister 120. The fins 210 can be equally or unequally spaced apart.

The canister 120 can include fins 210 that have different lengths and/or widths. For example, the canister 120 has a first set of fins 210 characterized by a first length and a second set of fins 210 characterized by a second length. In another example, the canister 120 has a first set of fins 210 characterized by a first base width and a first tip width and a second set of fins 210 characterized by a second base length and a second tip width.

The fins 210 may be positioned such that each of the fins 210 are evenly positioned around the circumference of the canister 120. The fins 210 of the canister 120 can be separated by an angle θ, which can be between about 3 degrees and about 90 degrees, between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees, between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees, between about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees, between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, between about 25 degrees and about 65 degrees, between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees, between about 35 degrees and about 55 degrees, between about 40 degrees and about 50 degrees, or about 3 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values. Even distribution of the fins 210 can advantageously provide even rate of heat dissipation from the canister 120 of the silencer assembly 200 thus prevent uneven heat distortions within the silencer assembly 200.

The fins 210 can be equally spaced or positioned along an outer circumference of the canister 120. Optionally, the fins 210 may be unequally spaced or positioned. For example, a first set or group of fins 210 are spaced 10 degrees apart between any two adjacent fins whereas a second set or group of fins 210 are spaced 5 degrees apart between any two adjacent fins.

The rate of heat dissipation from the silencer assembly 200 can be based at least on one of the following, but not limited, variables: the dimensions of the fins 210 (for example, W1, W2, and L), the dimensions of the channels 220 (for example, D1 and D2), the number of fins 210 and the channels 220, and the angle between each of the fins 210 (for example, 0). It can be advantageous to vary the above-mentioned variables and customize the canister 120 to achieve an optimal rate of heat dissipation for different types of firearms, including automatic and semiautomatic firearms.

In one implementation, the silencer assembly 200 can include a tube (e.g., the tube 10 of the silencer assembly 100, described above in connection with FIGS. 1-12C) removably coupled to the proximal cap 101 and the end cap 106 of the silencer assembly 200. The tube can advantageously allow the canister 120 be removably coupled or slidably coupled to the tube, thereby allowing customization of the silencer assembly 200. The canister 120 can couple over the tube via a friction fit or press-fit, or via alternative attachment mechanisms.

The silencer assembly 200 can include one or more of the canisters 120. For example, the silencer assembly 200 can include a first canister 120 and a second canister 120, where the first canister 120 covers a proximal half (closer to a firearm) of the silencer assembly 200 and the second canister 120 covers a distal half (further from the firearm) of the silencer assembly 200. The first canister 120 and the second canister 120 can be different. Optionally, the first canister 120 can have more fins 210 than the second canister 120. Optionally, the first canister 120 can have fins 210 that have greater length than that of the second canister 120. Different characteristics of the first canister 120 and the second canister 120 can provide different rate of heat dissipation. This can be advantageous in cases in which different areas of the silencer assembly 200 experiences different heat generation and/or accumulation. It can be advantageous, in such cases, to provide different canisters 120 with different rate of heat dissipation to provide even heat distribution and/or dissipation within the silencer assembly 200.

The canister 120 can be implemented with one or more or without any of the elements/components of the silencer assembly described above and shown in FIGS. 1-15F. Optionally, the canister 120 can be broadly implemented to different, existing types of silencers for various types of firearms, both automatic and semi-automatic, including but not limited to, handguns, rifles, high caliber machine guns, and the like. For example, the canister 120 can be modular. In some implementations, the canister 120 can be attachable to silencer assemblies having different dimensions.

The silencer assembly 100, 200 advantageously provide for an active system for reducing one or more of heat, sound, spark and flash. One or more of these are actively reduced via, for example but not limited by, rotation of the spinners 8, 108, adjustment of the tension force on the internal components of the silencer assemblies 100, 200, and openings in the components that allow flow of gases and improves pressure equalization between expansion chambers.

The silencer assembly 100, 200 is scalable and can be used with a variety of firearms, both automatic and semi-automatic, including but not limited to, handguns, rifles, high caliber machine guns (e.g., M2 .50 caliber machine gun), etc.

Additional Embodiments

In embodiments of the present invention, an active gun silencer system, and method of making the same, may be in accordance with any of the following clauses:

• • Clause 1. An active gun silencer system, comprising:
    • a first canister positioned between a proximal end configured to couple to a gun barrel at a muzzle thereof and a distal end, the first canister comprising a cylindrical cavity defining a first axis and a first plurality of fins radially extending outwardly, the first plurality of fins characterized by a first length, the first plurality of fins having a tip and a base coupled to the first canister; and
    • a modular assembly comprising a plurality of chamber separators positioned along the first axis, the plurality of chamber separators axially spaced apart from each other by a plurality of separate tube portions within a bore of the tube and suspended within the tube under a tension force, each pair of adjacent chamber separators defining a chamber therebetween,
    • wherein the first plurality of fins increase a surface area of the first canister and thereby increase a rate of heat dissipation of the first canister.
  • Clause 2. The silencer system of clause 1, wherein the first length of the first plurality of fins is between 0.2 inches and 2 inches.
  • Clause 3. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first plurality of fins extend along at least a portion of a length of the first canister.
  • Clause 4. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein any two adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins are spaced by a first angle, wherein the first angle is between 3 degrees and 25 degrees.
  • Clause 5. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first plurality of fins are equally spaced and positioned along an outer circumference of the first canister.
  • Clause 6. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein a width of the first plurality of fins vary along the first length of the first plurality of fins.
  • Clause 7. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first plurality of fins define a first plurality of channels, wherein a width of the plurality of channels vary along a length of adjacent fins.
  • Clause 8. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first length of the first plurality of fins is less than a radius of the first canister.
  • Clause 9. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first canister further comprises a second plurality of fins characterized by a second length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.
  • Clause 10. The silencer system of any preceding clause, further comprising a second canister comprising a plurality of fins and encasing at least a portion of the tube, wherein the plurality of fins of the second canister are characterized by a length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.
  • Clause 11. An active gun silencer system, comprising:
    • a tube extending from a proximal end configured to couple to a gun barrel at a muzzle thereof to a distal end, the tube defining a first axis;
    • a modular assembly comprising a plurality of chamber separators positioned along the first axis, the plurality of chamber separators axially spaced apart from each other by a plurality of separate tube portions within a bore of the tube and suspended within the tube under a tension force, each pair of adjacent chamber separators defining a chamber therebetween; and
    • a first canister comprising a first plurality of fins extending outwardly and transversally in relation to the first axis, the first plurality of fins having a tip and a base coupled to the first canister, the first canister removably coupled to the tube.
  • Clause 12. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first plurality of fins extend along at least a portion of a length of the first canister.
  • Clause 13. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first canister encases at least a portion of the tube.
  • Clause 14. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein a width of the first plurality of fins vary along the first length of the first plurality of fins.
  • Clause 15. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first plurality of fins define a first plurality of channels, wherein a width of the plurality of channels vary along a length of adjacent fins.
  • Clause 16. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first length of the first plurality of fins is less than a radius of the first canister or a radius of the tube.
  • Clause 17. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first canister further comprises a second plurality of fins characterized by a second length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.
  • Clause 18. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein any two adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins are spaced by a first angle, wherein the first angle is between 3 degrees and 25 degrees.
  • Clause 19. The silencer system of any preceding clause, wherein the first plurality of fins are equally spaced and positioned along an outer circumference of the first canister.
  • Clause 20. The silencer system of any preceding clause, further comprising a second canister comprising a plurality of fins wherein the plurality of fins of the second canister are characterized by a length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a sub combination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

Claims

1. A gun silencer system, comprising:

a proximal end configured to couple to a gun barrel at a muzzle thereof;

a distal end;

a canister positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, the canister comprising a cylindrical cavity defining a first axis and a first plurality of fins radially extending outwardly from an outer surface of the canister, the first plurality of fins characterized by a first length, each of the first plurality of fins comprising a tip and a base coupled to the outer surface of the canister; and

a chamber separator positioned along the first axis and spaced apart from the proximal end and the distal end, the chamber separator and the distal end defining an expansion chamber,

wherein the first plurality of fins increase a surface area of the canister and thereby increase a rate of heat dissipation of the canister.

2. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein the first length of the first plurality of fins is between 0.2 inches and 2 inches.

3. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of fins extend along at least a portion of a length of the canister.

4. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein any two adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins are spaced by a first angle, wherein the first angle is between 3 degrees and 25 degrees.

5. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of fins are equally spaced and positioned along an outer circumference of the canister.

6. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein a width of the first plurality of fins vary along the first length of the first plurality of fins.

7. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of fins define a first plurality of channels, wherein a width of the plurality of channels vary along a length of adjacent fins.

8. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein the first length of the first plurality of fins is less than a radius of the canister.

9. The silencer system of claim 1, wherein the canister further comprises a second plurality of fins characterized by a second length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

10. The silencer system of claim 1, further comprising a second canister comprising a plurality of fins and encasing at least a portion of the tube, wherein the plurality of fins of the second canister are characterized by a length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

11. A gun silencer system, comprising:

a tube extending from a proximal end configured to couple to a gun barrel at a muzzle thereof to a distal end, the tube defining a first axis;

a canister positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, the canister comprising a cylindrical cavity defining a first axis and a first plurality of fins radially extending outwardly and transversally in relation to the first axis from an outer surface of the canister, the first plurality of fins characterized by a first length, each of the first plurality of fins comprising a tip and a base coupled to the outer surface of the canister; and

a chamber separator positioned along the first axis and spaced apart from the proximal end and the distal end, the chamber separator and the distal end defining an expansion chamber,

wherein the canister is removably coupled to the tube.

12. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of fins extend along at least a portion of a length of the canister.

13. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein the canister encases at least a portion of the tube.

14. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein a width of the first plurality of fins vary along the first length of the first plurality of fins.

15. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of fins define a first plurality of channels, wherein a width of the plurality of channels vary along a length of adjacent fins.

16. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein the first length of the first plurality of fins is less than a radius of the canister or a radius of the tube.

17. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein the canister further comprises a second plurality of fins characterized by a second length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.

18. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein any two adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins are spaced by a first angle, wherein the first angle is between 3 degrees and 25 degrees.

19. The silencer system of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of fins are equally spaced and positioned along an outer circumference of the canister.

20. The silencer system of claim 11, further comprising a second canister comprising a plurality of fins wherein the plurality of fins of the second canister are characterized by a length different from the first length of the first plurality of fins.