# US 2014/0190344 A1 · Self regulating gas system for suppressed weapons > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190344 A1 - Document ID: US20140190344A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/799,734 - Filed: 2013-03-13 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: RA Brands, L.L.C. - Inventors: Daniel E. Kenney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190344A1 ## CPC - F41A 5/28: Adjustable systems - F41A 5/26: Arrangements or systems for bleeding the gas from the barrel (F41A5/20 - F41A5/24 take precedence) - F41A: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE ## Abstract A gas system for an autoloading firearm wherein the gas used to cycle the weapon can be restricted automatically through a mechanical shutoff actuated by the installation of a suppressor on the weapon. The gas system could be used to actuate either a piston to mechanically operate the weapon or a gas impingement mechanism wherein the gas is redirected into the bolt carrier assembly to directly actuate the unlocking and cycling of the bolt and bolt carrier group. A gas block for the firearm includes a spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within a bore of the gas block and oriented parallel to a bore of a barrel of the firearm, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap. Mounting a suppressor over the muzzle depresses the regulator plunger driving it rearward, the rearward movement of the regulator plunger blocking one of gas ports in the gas block to automatically reduce the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon wherein the weapon includes a barrel having a bore, at least one gas port, and a muzzle, the gas system comprising: a gas block attached to the barrel to redirect a volume of propellant gases to cycle the auto loading weapon, the gas block including a plurality of gas ports for directing propellant gases received from the at least one gas port of the barrel into the gas system of the auto loading weapon; and a spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within a bore of the gas block and oriented parallel to the bore of the barrel, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger having a plurality of sections, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap; wherein mounting a suppressor over the muzzle depresses the regulator plunger, a rearward movement of the regulator plunger blocking one of gas ports in the gas block to automatically reduce the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 1 wherein the regulator plunger comprises a first section that is offset to an operating bore of the regulator bushing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 2 wherein the offset first section of the regulator plunger operates within the operating bore for one gas port in the gas block. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 2 wherein the regulator plunger comprises a second section operating within the regulator bore of the gas block and interfacing with a rear surface of the regulator bushing when the plunger is held forward by the regulator spring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 4 wherein the interface of the second section of the regulator plunger with the rear surface of the regulator bushing prevents a forward flow of propellant gases from exiting the gas block. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 4 wherein the regulator plunger further comprises a third section extending through the regulator bushing and towards a front end of the gas block. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 6 wherein the regulator cap is slideably mounted over an end of the third section and is retained by a cross pin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 1 wherein the regulator cap compresses the regulator spring between a forward face of the regulator bushing and the regulator cap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 6 wherein the regulator spring operates within the regulator bore on the gas block and is mounted over the third section of the regulator plunger. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 1 wherein a portion of the regulator cap extends past the front end of the gas block towards the muzzle and is driven rearward when the suppressor is mounted over the muzzle, the rearward movement of the regulator cap driving the regulator plunger rearward to reduce the flow of propellant gases into the gas system through the plurality of gas ports. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 1 further comprising a cross pin inserted into the plunger assembly for retaining the plunger assembly in position in the bore of the gas block to prevent movement of the regulator bushing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of regulator plunger sections comprises a cross-section that varies with a corresponding position of each section within the gas block. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 1 wherein mounting the suppressor over the muzzle prevents a gas pressure of propellant gases freely entering one gas port from pushing the regulator plunger in a forward direction. ### Claim 14 A method for self regulation of propellant gases in an autoloading weapon wherein the weapon includes a barrel having a bore, at least one gas port, and a muzzle, comprising: attaching a gas block to the barrel to redirect a volume of propellant gases to cycle the auto loading weapon, the gas block including a plurality of gas ports for directing propellant gases received from the at least one gas port of the barrel into the gas system of the auto loading weapon; positioning a spring-loaded plunger assembly within a bore of the gas block and oriented parallel to the bore of the barrel, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger having a plurality of sections, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap; and mounting a suppressor over the muzzle to depress the regulator plunger, a rearward movement of the regulator plunger blocking one of the gas ports in the gas block to automatically reduce the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 14 wherein a first section of the regulator plunger is offset to an operating bore of the regulator bushing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 14 wherein a second section of the regulator plunger operates within the regulator bore. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 16 further comprising interfacing the second section of the regulator plunger with a rear surface of the regulator bushing when the plunger is held forward by the regulator spring to prevent a forward flow of propellant gases from exiting the gas block. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 16 wherein a third section of the regulator plunger extends through the regulator bushing and towards a front end of the gas block. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 18 further comprising sliding the regulator cap over an open end of the third section of the regulator plunger and retaining the regulator cap with a cross pin. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 19 wherein sliding the regulator cap over the open end of the regulator plunger compresses the regular spring mounted over the third section of the regulator plunger between a forward face of the regulator bushing and the regulator cap. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 14 wherein mounting the suppressor over the muzzle drives a portion of the regulator cap extending past the front end of the gas block rearward when the suppressor contacts the regulator cap, the rearward movement of the regulator cap driving the regulator plunger rearward to reduce the flow of propellant gases into the gas system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The method for self regulation of propellant gases of claim 14 further comprising inserting a cross pin into the plunger assembly to prevent movement of the regulator bushing. ### Claim 23 A self-regulating gas system for firearm including a barrel, at least one gas port, and a muzzle, the gas system comprising: a gas block attached to the barrel to redirect a volume of propellant gases to cycle the auto loading weapon, the gas block including a plurality of gas ports for directing propellant gases received from the at least one gas port of the barrel into the gas system; a spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within the gas block, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap; the regulator plunger driven rearward when a suppressor is mounted over the muzzle, such movement of the regulator plunger blocking or reducing a cross-sectional area of one of the gas ports in the gas block to automatically reduce the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 23 wherein the regulator cap compresses the regulator spring between a forward face of the regulator bushing and the regulator cap. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 23 wherein a portion of the regulator cap extends past the front end of the gas block towards the muzzle and is driven rearward when the suppressor is mounted over the muzzle, the rearward movement of the regulator cap driving the regulator plunger rearward to reduce the flow of propellant gases into the gas system through the plurality of gas ports. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 23 further comprising a cross pin inserted into the plunger assembly for retaining the plunger assembly in position in the bore of the gas block to prevent movement of the regulator bushing. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The self-regulating gas system for an auto loading weapon of claim 23 wherein mounting the suppressor over the muzzle prevents a gas pressure of propellant gases freely entering one gas port from pushing the regulator plunger in a forward direction.