US3272074A - Muzzle flash suppressor - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 13, 1966 N. L. VINSON MUZZLE FLASH SUPPRESSOR Filed March 26, 1965 I I I0 COOLANT PREssuPuzoR \NVENTOR United States Patent 3,272,074 MUZZLE FLASH SUPPRESSOR Neal L. Vinson, 836 Arizona SE., Albuquerque, N. Mex. Filed Mar. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 443,135 4 Claims. (Cl. 89-14) My invention relates generally to firearms, and more specifically to the suppression of the visible flash observable at the muzzle when a firearm is fired.

The flash is caused by luminous combustion gases which follow a fired bullet out of the muzzle, and which result from the burning of gunpowder in the cartridge. In the conduct of warfare, especially guerrilla action, the muzzle flash of firearms is highly visible during night operations and constitutes a tactical liability.

It is a general object of my invention to provide means for suppressing the muzzle flash of firearms by reducing and eliminating the luminosity of .the combustion gases.

Another object of my invention is to provide a muzzle flash suppression means which is quickly and easily attached to a firearm and which is capable of use under field conditions.

Briefly, my invention accomplishes these and other objects to become apparent by means of a muzzle attachment which retains a supply of relatively noncompressible pressurized fluid adjacent a perforated mixing cone. Combustion gases resulting from the firing of the firearm are admitted to the opposite side of a shaped stretchable diaphragm which retains the fluid, stretching the diaphragm and forcing the fluid into the mixing cone. Mixing of the fluid with combustion gases in the cone takes heat from the gases, vaporizing the fluid and reducing the temperature of the gases to below luminosity.

A better understanding of my invention may be had by reading the more detailed description to follow, in conjunction with the appended claims and attached drawing, which shows a longitudinal sectional View of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, muzzle piece is on the correct diameter to fit snugly over the muzzle of the firearm on which it is to be used, and is provided with a threaded opening 11 to receive a set screw. The piece has an opening on its other end large enough to clear a bullet. Muzzle piece 10 is externally threaded, screwing into porting member 12 and being held therein by lock nut 13. External cylindrical member 14 fastens to member 12 by threads, and supports end member 15 at its other extremity.

Member 15 is internally shaped to provide a mixing cone 16 which is rearwardly perforated at 17. Stretchable diaphragm 18 is shaped to tightly cover the outside of the perforated portion of cone 16, extending away from the remainder thereof, forming a chamber 19. At its upper end the diaphragm is bonded to a thin metal washer 20 and clamped tightly between members 14 and 15.

In use, container 21 is provided with a small amount of pressurizer, which may be a volatile fluid such as a common refrigerant. Needle valve 22 allows manual control of flow of the pressurizing gas through a suitable connecting line to container 23, which contains a liquid coolant such as water. The coolant should be relatively noncompressible and should have a boiling point not greater than the temperature of the combustion gases. Under pressure, the coolant flows through a line 24, check valve 25, fitting 26 and connecting passage 27 to chamber 19. Since the coolant is pressurized it will stretch diaphragm 18 sufliciently to allow any contained air to escape through perforations 17. A slight weep of coolant appearing inside cone 16 indicates readiness of the device for use.

When the firearm is fired and the bullet clears the upper end of nozzle piece 10, combustion gases collect in plenum 30 and are forced by their own pressure through ports 31 into chamber 32. Diaphragm 18 thus receives a sharp impulse, and since the liquid coolant in chamber 19 is relatively noncompressible, and relief cannot be obtained in the reverse direction through check valve 19, the diaphragm stretches and uncovers perforations 17. This admits coolant to mixing cone 16 where it is sprayed on the passing bullet and the combustion gases. Heat from the gases vaporizes the liquid, cooling the gases below the point of luminosity.

Passage of the bullet into the mixing cone causes the pressure behind the bullet to drop to ambient. The pressure in chamber 32 quickly equalizes by back-venting through ports 31, allowing diaphragm 18 to resume its normal shape, sealing perforations 17. With chamber 19 restored to shape, makeup coolant flows in through check valve 25 and the device is ready for another firing. The action is extremely fast, and firing rates of 600 rounds per minute are believed possible. Adjustment of needle valve 22 controls the supply of pressurizing vapor to container 23, while adjustment of muzzle piece 10 controls the size of plenum 30 thereby controlling the pressure of combustion gases on diaphragm 18. Experimentation with these adjustments prior to field use will determine proper settings for any condition.

It is seen that my invention is extremely compact and capable of easy installation on a firearm. For field use it is suggested that containers 21 and 23 be General Issue canteens suitably modified and carried on the belt of a soldier. Standard Ai-inch flexible tubing may be used as connecting lines. It also is conceivable that the containers and tubing could be built into the stock or other portions of a firearm, forming a self-contained unit.

These and other modifications of the preferred embodiment shown and described may be accomplished by those skilled in the art without departing from the sphere and scope of my invention as defined in the claims below.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for suppressing the muzzle flash of a firearm, comprising:

means fitting over the end of the firearm muzzle for conducting combustion gases following a fired bullet;

a rearwardly perforated mixing cone supported in line With said conducting means;

a stretchable diaphragm tightly covering the outside of the perforated portion of the mixing cone and extending away from the remainder thereof, forming a first chamber;

a relatively noncompressible pressurized liquid coolant having a boiling point not greater than the temperature of the combustion gases;

unidirectional means for conducting the coolant into the first chamber;

means forming a second chamber around the outside of the diaphragm;

and means for admitting combustion gases from the 3 conducting means into the second chamber whereby the diaphragm is stretched and the coolant is forced through the perforations into the mixing cone where it mixes with combustion gases, cooling them below the temperature of luminosity. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the last-named means is adjustably restrictive to control the amount of pressure applied to the diaphragm.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the coolant is pressurized by the vaporization of a volatile liquid.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the coolant is water.

No references cited.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. F. C. MATTERN, S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A DEVICE FOR SUPRESSING THE MUZZLE FLASH OF A FIREARM, COMPRISING: MEANS FITTING OVER THE END OF THE FIREARM MUZZLE FOR CONDUCTING COMBUSTION GASES FOLLOWING A FIRED BULLET; A REARWARDLY PERFORATED MIXING CONE SUPPORTED IN LINE WITH SAID CONDUCTING MEANS; A STRETCHABLE DIAPHRAGM TIGHTLY COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE PERFORATED PORTION OF THE MIXING CONE AND EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE REMAINDER THEREOF, FORMING A FIRST CHAMBER; A RELATIVELY NONCOMPRESSIBLE PRESSURIZED LIQUID COOLANT HAVING A BOILING POINT NOT GREATER THAN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COMBUSTION GASES; UNIDIRECTIONAL MEANS FOR CONDUCTING THE COOLANT INTO THE FIRST CHAMBER; MEANS FORMING A SECOND CHAMBER AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE DIAPHRAGM;

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