Firearm suppressor

#Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to firearm sound silencers and, in one example, to a sound suppressor.

#Firearms suppressors (also commonly referred to as silencers) are mechanical pressure reduction devices that contain a hole through the center of the device to allow the passage of a projectile such as a bullet. Firearm suppressors are typically affixed to the muzzle of a firearm at the front end of the weapon. The firearm suppressor, when in action, lowers the energy of the projectile propellant gases as they are exhausted within the firing chamber and behind the projectile in order to reduce the energy signature(s) of the exhaust gases. The exhaust gases are primarily the byproduct of nitrocellulose combusting in the confined space of the cartridge case and firearm bore. The exhaust gases may therefore increase the pressure in the firearm bore. Shorter barreled firearms may experience an increased percentage of propellant solids in the gas stream. The exhaust gases are often moving at supersonic speeds through the bore and the high energy of the combined gas and particulate matter may often lead to erosion, impingement, and/or deformation of the firearm suppressor. The areas of the suppressor nearest to the firearm exhaust (muzzle) and in line with the firearm bore may be exposed to the highest energy levels and may be most susceptible to erosion and impingement resultant from the exhaust gas and particulate mixture discussed above which may limit the application and duty cycle of the suppressor.

#Other attempts to address the drawbacks associated with high energy erosion of the suppressor include constructing a suppressor with an inner sleeve and constructing a plurality of suppressor inserts. One example approach is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,338 Hines et al. Therein, the firearm suppressor comprises an internal insert sleeve member with a plurality of inserts and chambers disposed at locations along the insert sleeve. The inserts are removable from the insert sleeve and can be replaced and welded therein. However, the inventors herein have recognized potential issues with such systems. As one example, the welded inserts are vulnerable to attrition caused by the high energy gasses at the area of the suppressor nearest the firearm muzzle when projectiles are fired through the weapon when using the suppressor. Therefore, as recognized by the inventors herein, a more robust construction of a suppressor housing coupled to inserts may be necessary in order to extend the lifetime of the firearm suppressor.

#FIG. 1 is a transparent wireframe view of an example suppressor assembly with an elongate tubular housing and an interior baffle section.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional cutaway view of an example suppressor assembly.

#FIG. 3 illustrates the elongate tubular housing and the interior baffle section of the suppressor assembly separate from one another.

#The above drawings are to scale, although other relative dimensions may be used, if desired. The drawings may depict components directly touching one another and in direct contact with one another and/or adjacent to one another, although such positional relationships may be modified, if desired. Further, the drawings may show components spaced away from one another without intervening components therebetween, although such relationships again, could be modified, if desired.

#The following description relates to various embodiments of a sound suppressor (also commonly referred to as a silencer), as well as methods of manufacturing and using the device. Potential advantages of one or more of the example approaches described herein relate to maintaining the length and weight of the overall firearm and/or suppressor, while still enabling rapid cycling, reduced wear, improved heat resistance, reduced overheating, and various others as explained herein.

#In accordance with the above and further objects of the subject matter, the present application discloses a firearm noise suppressor for reducing the sound resultant from the expanding gases expelled from the muzzle region of a firearm's barrel. In one embodiment, the firearm noise suppressor may include an elongated tubular housing, wherein portions of one or more interior baffle sections are fully or partially encapsulated securely within one or more materials of the tubular housing. The interior baffle sections may take the shape of a triangular helix and may further be spaced longitudinally along the interior of the tubular housing as shown in FIG. 1. A series of baffles as well as their shape may create turbulence of the gas, slowing its motion and reducing its temperature and pressure. The surface bounded by the inner housing surfaces contiguous with adjacent baffles may form a plurality of sufficiently large expansion chambers, wherein the propellant gases' motion may be hindered or slowed, and the pressure and/or temperature may be reduced.