WO2021071989A1 - Novel firearm assemblies configured to detect force, suppress rotational recoil, and reduce mechanical distortion and methods of use thereof - Google Patents

Novel firearm assemblies configured to detect force, suppress rotational recoil, and reduce mechanical distortion and methods of use thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021071989A1
WO2021071989A1 PCT/US2020/054637 US2020054637W WO2021071989A1 WO 2021071989 A1 WO2021071989 A1 WO 2021071989A1 US 2020054637 W US2020054637 W US 2020054637W WO 2021071989 A1 WO2021071989 A1 WO 2021071989A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
firearm
cte
thermal
thermal environment
steel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2020/054637
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Aron MAGUIRE
Original Assignee
Advanced Shooting Analytics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Advanced Shooting Analytics, Inc. filed Critical Advanced Shooting Analytics, Inc.
Priority to US17/767,323 priority Critical patent/US20220364818A1/en
Publication of WO2021071989A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021071989A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A3/00—Breech mechanisms, e.g. locks
    • F41A3/64—Mounting of breech-blocks; Accessories for breech-blocks or breech-block mountings
    • F41A3/66—Breech housings or frames; Receivers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A19/00—Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
    • F41A19/06—Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms
    • F41A19/11—Trigger guards; Trigger-guard mountings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A21/00—Barrels; Gun tubes; Muzzle attachments; Barrel mounting means
    • F41A21/26—Barrels; Gun tubes; Muzzle attachments; Barrel mounting means specially adapted for recoil reinforcement, e.g. for training purposes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A21/00—Barrels; Gun tubes; Muzzle attachments; Barrel mounting means
    • F41A21/30—Silencers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G1/00—Sighting devices
    • F41G1/38—Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G1/00—Sighting devices
    • F41G1/38—Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
    • F41G1/387—Mounting telescopic sights on smallarms

Definitions

  • the present invention further relates to firearm design, manufacture, and use, and in particular novel firearm assemblies configured to increase firing accuracy and repeatability.
  • Firearms require a high degree of accuracy and repeatability.
  • high-precision bolt action rifles like those typically used in sporting and military applications require exacting tolerances between the components. This is especially true for firearm components that may be coupled together such that small distortions between one or more components may have a significant downstream effect on the firearm’s mechanical integrity and may further lead to a loss of firing accuracy.
  • This mechanical distortion is especially prevalent at the interface of firearm components having different Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE), which generally describes the extent to which a material expands upon heating.
  • CTE Coefficients of Thermal Expansion
  • each firearm component such as a chassis, receiver, scope mount, stock or even a scope, may be manufactured from a different material, and as a result have a unique CTE.
  • traditional bolt-action rifles may have a receiver component made from a hard stainless steel, such as 416 steel, while a chassis, stock, scope mount or scope among other components may be made from aluminum, or composites, each having a different CTE than 416 steel.
  • a chassis and receiver when one or more firearm components, such as a chassis and receiver, are assembled in a specific thermal environment, the original assembly is considered to be at a zero-stress temperature, meaning that the orientation and tolerances of the two components having different CTEs are optimized for that configuration in that thermal environment. For example, when a chassis and receiver are assembled at a standard room temperature environment of 72° F, the zero-stress temperature of the interface of that assembly is 72° F.
  • the firearm’s chassis and receiver are optimized to operate at 72° F.
  • a chassis and receiver are assembled at a standard room temperature environment of 72° F, and then the firearm is operated in a different thermal environment, such as desert or tundra environment, the chassis and receiver will respond according to their material’s unique CTE resulting in mechanical distortion of the components.
  • the firearm’s chassis, and receiver being mechanically distorted, are no longer optimized to operate in this new thermal environment. More importantly, by introducing mechanical distortion into the coupled components, the firearm may lose line-of-fire alignment which ultimately results in a loss of firing accuracy.
  • Linear recoil (often referred to as knockback, kickback or simply kick) is the backward movement of a firearm when it is discharged. More specifically, the recoil momentum acquired by the gun balances the forward momentum of the projectile and exhaust gases (ejecta) according to the laws of conservation of momentum.
  • rotational recoil is the angular rotation of a firearm when it is discharged. The rotational recoil momentum acquired by the gun balances the rotational momentum of the projectile and exhaust gasses (ejecta) according to the laws of conservation of angular momentum.
  • a projectile acquires rotational momentum as it is rotationally accelerated by the rifling in a barrel or by the rifling built into the projectile.
  • the total rotational momentum of the projectile is equal to the angular velocity of the projectile and exhaust gasses multiplied by the second moment of inertia of the projectile and exhaust gasses.
  • Rotational recoil can be particularly difficult to deal with as a shooter because the rotation of the gun also rotates the scope such that the target is no longer visible. This makes it difficult for the shooter to see whether or not his shot has hit the target.
  • Rotational recoil will also affect right and left handed shooters differently such that the rotational recoil may push the gun into one’s cheek or away from one’s cheek. This can result in difficulty with timely follow-up shots or even injury to the shooter.
  • the velocity of a bullet can vary depending on how much force a shooter applies to the rear of the firearm.
  • this force may affect the recoil management of the shooter and thereby the accuracy and repeatability which is especially important for high-precision rifle systems like those used in shooting competitions or in military applications.
  • other than a shooter’s intuitive “feel” there is no way to know the level of force being applied to the firearm, or more importantly, what might be the optimal level of force to apply to the rear of the firearm.
  • a system to measure how much force a shooter is applying to a firearm, for example through the shooter’s shoulder in a standard rifle firing position, and further communicate that force measurement to the shooter. Such measurements may allow a shooter to be more consistent with shot velocities and recoil management and therefore produce more accurate and repeatable shots.
  • aspects of the present invention relate to firearms and, more particularly, to the matching of CTEs of interfacing firearm components of high-precision bolt-action rifles configured to improve shooting accuracy and to supplement functionality.
  • the present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components are made from materials with mismatched CTEs and then exposed to a range of different temperatures, relative to the temperature at which they were assembled.
  • many firearm components are considered here and will be presented in further detail, some of the major notable components which most notably improve accuracy from being machined from matching CTEs materials include rifle chassis, stocks, scope mounts, scope tubes, etc.
  • the present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components that may or may not include the same or similar CTEs, are assembled in one thermal environment, but operated in a second, different thermal environment.
  • One aspect of the present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to interfacing components of rifles that may be configured to have matching CTEs.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components may be assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly. This first thermal environment may be customized, or manipulated to match, or approximate a second thermal environment where the rifle may be expected to operate.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a desert or in the summertime, may be assembled in a heated first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE.
  • a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more directly or indirectly interfacing components.
  • a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more interfacing firearm components, where only the interfacing portion of the components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE.
  • Such hybrid components may be coupled with one or more expansion joints as herein described.
  • a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include a firearm assembly incorporating two or more of the following interfacing firearm components: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and grip mounts among others.
  • two or more interfacing firearm components having the same or similar CTE may be assembled in a heated first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components having the same or similar CTE that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • Additional aspects of the invention include novel design features for one or more thermal expansion joints that may be designed for use with a firearm, and more particularly interfacing firearm components, and even more preferably hybrid particularly interfacing firearm components.
  • This novel technology allows hybrid interfacing firearm components to be made from a material with a mismatched CTE, for example to the receiver, stock, or chassis, and still not cause mechanical deformations to the receiver, stock, or chassis as a result of temperature changes.
  • the inventive technology allows for an accurate precision rifle system that is insensitive to thermal excursions for a reduced price of manufacturing.
  • One aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus for a firearm.
  • the invention may include a firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus configured to reduce rotational recoil generated from the operation of a firearm.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes methods of using a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to be rigidly secured to a firearm that may reduce rotational recoil and increase firing accuracy and repeatability.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to convert rotational energy generated from the operation of a firearm into heat that may be dissipated thereby reducing the rotational recoil generation from the operation of a firearm.
  • One aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener having one or more fluid filled tracks having a spring supported block that allows fluid communication of a viscous fluid, such as an oil.
  • Another aspect of the invention includes systems and methods of coupling a rotational recoil dampener to a firearm.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to suppress rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted.
  • the invention may include a novel muzzle brake having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirected exhaust gasses are released from the muzzle brake so as to counteract the rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to incorporate aspects of a muzzle break for linear recoil while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted, while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation.
  • the invention may include a novel suppressor having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirect exhaust gasses are released from the suppressor so as to counteract the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a novel suppressor for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system.
  • inventive technology may include a system that allows measurement of force applied from the user’s shoulder to the rifle’s buttstock which may further be displayed to the shooter in real time.
  • Another aspect of the invention allows for the collection of force measurements that may be stored for later display.
  • Another aspect of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications. This is critical since the more consistent of a force a shooter applies to the buttstock of the precision rifle system, the more consistent the velocity of the shot will be and the more consistent the shooter’s recoil management will be, both of which improve accuracy. Since the ability to hit a target at long ranges depends on the shooters ability to predict the speed of the bullet and consistently manage recoil, this novel technology helps the shooter hit targets more reliably. Real time force measurements can be presented to the shooter as he takes aim or reported to the shooter after a shot to practice repeatability.
  • Another aspect of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm support force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications.
  • a novel firearm support force detection system may be incorporated into a bipod, or other similar rifle support device.
  • a novel firearm support force detection system may be configured to detachable couple a bipod, or other similar support, to a rifle’s stock.
  • Another aspect of the invention may include a force detection system having a spring scale instrument positioned in line with the load path. In this preferred aspect, as force is applied, a calibrated spring scale may be actuated and provide a manual display of the force measurement.
  • a method of reducing mechanical distortion in a firearm comprising:
  • interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and a grip mount.
  • thermo environment comprises a thermal environment caused by firing said firearm.
  • An improved firearm assembly comprising: - a firearm having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched firearm; and
  • interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and a grip mount.
  • interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
  • said CTE matched firearm is assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero- state CTE matched firearm
  • said zero-state CTE matched firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
  • thermo condition comprises a thermal condition generated by firing said firearm.
  • a method of reducing thermal-induced mechanical distortion in a firearm assembly comprising:
  • first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
  • first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
  • interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
  • interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
  • a firearm assembly comprising:
  • a firearm having one or more interfacing components assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing components of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state CTE matched firearm; and - wherein said a zero-state CTE matched firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
  • CTE thermal expansion
  • interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
  • interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
  • a method of reducing thermal-induced mechanical distortion in a firearm assembly comprising:
  • said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
  • chassis and receiver assembly comprises a chassis and receiver assembly for a bolt-action rifle.
  • chassis and receiver have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
  • chassis and receiver are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
  • a firearm assembly comprising:
  • a firearm having an interfacing chassis and receiver assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state interfacing chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing chassis and receiver of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly; and
  • CTE thermal expansion
  • said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver resists thermal- induced mechanical distortion.
  • chassis and receiver assembly comprises a chassis and receiver assembly for a bolt-action rifle.
  • chassis and receiver are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
  • a method of reducing mechanical distortion in a firearm comprising:
  • hybrid interfacing component includes:
  • a matching CTE interface configured to interface with a second component having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE);
  • variable CTE interface having a mismatched CTE as compared to said second component
  • variable CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of more than 13.6ppm.
  • hybrid interfacing component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
  • interfacing components are fabricated, in part or in whole, from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same..
  • variable anchor coupled to said variable CTE interface and responsive to a tractable support coupled to said matching CTE interface by a tractable CTE interface anchor; and - wherein said directional expansion joint is configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of the firearm components along the X-axis of the expansion joint.
  • a firearm comprising:
  • hybrid interfacing component includes:
  • a matching CTE interface configured to interface with a second component having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE);
  • variable CTE interface having a mismatched CTE as compared to said second component
  • matching CTE interface and said variable CTE interface are coupled with one or more directional expansion joints configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of said hybrid interfacing component.
  • hybrid interfacing component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
  • interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same.
  • variable anchor coupled to said variable CTE interface and responsive to a tractable support coupled to said matching CTE interface by a tractable CTE interface anchor;
  • said directional expansion joint is configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of the firearm components along the X-axis of the expansion joint.
  • said firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component is assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm
  • a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
  • a thermal expansion joint device for a firearm comprising:
  • said mounting bolt is coupling said secondary firearm component to a primary firearm component and is further configured to allow said secondary firearm component to slide within a voided space along a pre-determined axis.
  • a method of increasing the accuracy of a firearm of any embodiment above comprising thermocycling said firearm assembly prior to operation.
  • thermocycling a firearm comprises heating said firearm assembly:
  • a method of reducing mechanical distortion in an optical device comprising:
  • optical device comprises an optical device selected from the group consisting of: an optical survey device, a scope, a telescope, an optical communications device, a sight, an optical targeting device, or a mount for the same.
  • a rotational recoil dampener device comprising:
  • a fluid track configured to be coupled to the barrel of a firearm
  • the device of embodiment 110 wherein the fluid track comprises a plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
  • invention 111 and further comprising a firearm mount configured to secure said plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
  • a method of dampening rotational recoil comprising:
  • step of coupling said fluid track to the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of positioning said fluid track around the barrel of a firearm.
  • step of positioning said fluid track around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm.
  • step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm with a coupler.
  • step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm with a coupler with a firearm mount.
  • a muzzle break device configured to dampen rotational recoil comprising:
  • a muzzle break having a body and a barrel attachment
  • said one or more vectored discharge channels are configured to eject high-pressure and high-velocity gases exiting said barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm countering the rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
  • invention 134 The device of embodiment 133 wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels comprises a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break.
  • a method dampening rotational recoil of a firearm comprising: - coupling a muzzle break having a body and a barrel attachment with the barrel of a firearm wherein said muzzle break has one or more vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break;
  • a firearm suppressor device comprising:
  • vectored discharge channels are configured eject high-pressure and high- velocity gases transmitted from said plurality of discharge vents, the channels being configured to counter the linear and rotational recoil generated by said bullet being ejected from said barrel.
  • each of said concentric angled partitions is in fluid communication with at least one vectored discharge channel.
  • a method of suppressing a firearm comprising:
  • each of said concentric angled partitions is in fluid communication with at least one vectored discharge channel.
  • a force detection system comprising:
  • a tractable inner hinge is responsive to said force sensor by a post.
  • said force load comprises a force load applied to the distal end of said buttstock.
  • said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
  • a method of detecting a force load comprising the steps:
  • step of transmitting comprises the step of transmitting said force load from said tractable inner hinge to said force sensor through a post.
  • step of applying a force load to said buttstock comprises applying a force load to the distal end of said buttstock.
  • step of applying a force load to the distal end of said buttstock comprises the step of applying a force load in-line with said load cell.
  • step of establishing a firearm assembly comprises the step of establishing a firearm assembly having a buttstock in a receiver configured for operation with a bolt-action rifle.
  • said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
  • step of transmitting said force load via a signal to a computing device comprises the step of transmitting force load via a signal to a smartphone.
  • a force detection system comprising:
  • a firearm assembly having a first components coupled with a second component by a force detection assembly comprising:
  • said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
  • FIG. 1 - shows a firearm chassis and receiver assembly under a uniform thermal condition of 120° F (48.89° C) in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 2 - shows mechanical distortion along a Z-axis of a firearm chassis and receiver having a different CTE in response to the application of a heat load in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 3 - shows mechanical distortion along a Z-axis of a firearm receiver having different CTE that a corresponding chassis in response to the application of a heat load in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 4 - shows a data set describing the thermal deformation in a firearm receiver in response to varying CTE of an Aluminum chassis in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 5 - shows CTE/degC of commonly used exemplary material in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 6 - shows the initial set-up to test the sensitivity of the system to the CTE of the fore end support, trigger guard and grip mount in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 7 - shows a side view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 8 - shows a rear view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 9 - shows a bottom perspective view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 10 - shows a top view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 11 - shows a top perspective view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 12 - shows a cross-sectional view of a plurality of expansion joints coupling a trigger guard to an exemplary firearm chassis in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 13 - shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a plurality of expansion joints coupling a trigger guard to an exemplary firearm chassis in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 14 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for a steel scope having a single piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 15 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for a steel scope having a two piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 16 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for an aluminum scope having a single piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 17 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for an aluminum scope having a two piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 18 - shows a mockup of a of a single piece mount configuration.
  • FIG. 19 - shows a mockup of a of a two piece mount configuration.
  • FIG. 20. - shows a front view of a rotational recoil dampener having a cross-sectioned fluid track secured to an exemplary coupler in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 21. - shows a front view of a rotational recoil dampener having a cross-sectioned fluid track having a top and bottom spring coupled with a block in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 22. - shows a perspective view of a rotational recoil dampener having a cross- sectioned fluid track having a top and bottom spring coupled with a block in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 23. - shows a top view of a rotational recoil dampener positioned around a firearm mount in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 24. - shows a top view of a mass block having a block aperture in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 25. - shows a top view of a rotational recoil dampener with a mass block having a block aperture positioned around a firearm mount in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 26. - shows a top view of a rotational recoil dampener positioned around a firearm mount in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 27. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 28. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 29. - shows a front cross-sectional view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 30. - shows a side cross-sectional view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 31. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored suppressor in one alternative embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 32. - shows a side view of a vectored suppressor in one alternative embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 33. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored suppressor in one alternative embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 34. - shows a side cross-sectional view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 35. - shows a side cross-sectional view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 36. - shows a side cross-sectional line drawing view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 37. - shows a front cross-sectional view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 38. - shows a generalized schematic diagram of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 39. - shows an exemplary circuit (9) that may be incorporated into a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof;
  • FIG. 40. - shows a detailed front perspective view of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 41. - shows a detailed expanded perspective view of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 42. - shows a detailed top view of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof
  • FIG. 43 - (A,B) Numerical and graphical description of horizontal and vertical shift over time of firearm receiver and chassis at increasing temperatures.
  • ASA description shows a CTE matched receiver and chassis while industry standard shows a mismatched CTE receiver chassis thermal -induced mechanical distortion having a difference in CTE of 13.7ppm.
  • the Matched CTE receiver and chassis being more resistant to thermal-induced mechanical distortion;
  • FIG. 44 - shows the comparison of the angular acceleration of a firearm with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention (ASA Muzzle Thruster);
  • C-D shows the comparison of the angular position of a firearm with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention;
  • E-F shows the comparison of the angular velocity of a firearm with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention;
  • G-J shows the comparison of the overall firearm dynamics with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention. Data calculated according to Table 1.
  • the present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to the interfacing firearm components of high-precision bolt-action rifles configured to improve its shooting accuracy and to supplement its functionality.
  • the present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components are made from a material with a mismatched CTE.
  • the present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components that may further include the same or similar CTEs, are assembled in one thermal environment, but operated in a second, different thermal environment.
  • Embodiments of the present invention relate to firearms and, more particularly, to the matching of CTEs of interfacing firearm components of high-precision bolt-action rifles configured to improve shooting accuracy and to supplement functionality.
  • the present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components are made from materials with mismatched CTEs and then exposed to a range of different temperatures, relative to the temperature at which they were assembled.
  • firearm components are considered here and will be presented in further detail, some of the major notable components which most notably improve accuracy from being machined from matching CTEs materials include rifle chassis, stocks, scope mounts, scope tubes, etc.
  • One embodiment of the present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to interfacing components of rifles that may or may not be the same material but such that they are configured to have matching CTEs.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components may be assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly. This first thermal environment may be customized, or manipulated to match, or approximate a second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a desert or in the summertime, may be assembled in a heated first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE.
  • a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more directly or indirectly interfacing components.
  • a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more interfacing firearm components, where only the interfacing portion of the components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE.
  • Such hybrid components may be coupled with one or more expansion joints as herein described.
  • a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include a firearm assembly incorporating two or more of the following interfacing firearm components: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and grip mounts among others.
  • one or more interfacing firearm components having the same or similar CTE that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
  • Additional embodiments of the invention include novel design features for one or more thermal expansion joints that may be designed for use with a firearm, and more particularly interfacing firearm components, and even more preferably hybrid particularly interfacing firearm components.
  • This novel technology allows hybrid interfacing firearm components to be made from a material with a mismatched CTE, for example to the receiver, stock, or chassis, and still not cause mechanical deformations to the receiver, stock, or chassis as a result of temperature changes.
  • the inventive technology allows for an accurate precision rifle system that is insensitive to thermal excursions for a reduced price of manufacturing.
  • the invention may include a novel firearm chassis or stock assembly configured to improve the accuracy of said firearm.
  • the invention may include a novel firearm chassis or stock assembly configured to improve the accuracy of a precision bolt-action rifle system.
  • This novel firearm chassis or stock assembly may thermodynamically optimize, for example a precision bolt-action rifle, or other traditional rifle configuration. Such optimization may extend across a broad range of temperatures that may be generated through operation of such a firearm.
  • the invention’s novel firearm chassis and stock assembly may be especially applicable to high-end precision rifles that are used in competitive target sports, military applications, and the like.
  • the invention may include a firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus configured to reduce rotational recoil generated from the operation of a firearm.
  • a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes methods of using a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to be rigidly secured to a firearm that may reduce rotational recoil and increase firing accuracy and repeatability.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to convert rotational energy generated from the operation of a firearm into heat that may be dissipated thereby reducing the rotational recoil generation from the operation of a firearm.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener having one or more fluid filled tracks having a spring supported block that allows fluid communication of a viscous fluid, such as an oil.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes systems and methods of coupling a rotational recoil dampener to a firearm.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to suppress rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted.
  • the invention may include a novel muzzle brake having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirected exhaust gasses are released from the muzzle brake so as to counteract the rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to incorporate embodiments of a muzzle break for linear recoil while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted, while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation.
  • the invention may include a novel suppressor having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirect exhaust gasses are released from the suppressor so as to counteract the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel suppressor for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system.
  • inventive technology may include a system that allows measurement of force applied from the user’s shoulder to the rifle’s buttstock which may further be displayed to the shooter in real time.
  • Another embodiment of the invention allows for the collection of force measurements that may be stored for later display.
  • Another embodiment of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications. This is critical since the more consistent of a force a shooter applies to the buttstock of the precision rifle system, the more consistent the velocity of the shot will be and the more consistent the shooter’s recoil management will be, both of which improve accuracy. Since the ability to hit a target at long ranges depends on the shooters ability to predict the speed of the bullet and consistently manage recoil, this novel technology helps the shooter hit targets more reliably. Real time force measurements can be presented to the shooter as he takes aim or reported to the shooter after a shot to practice repeatability.
  • a novel firearm support force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications.
  • a novel firearm support force detection system may be incorporated into a bipod, or other similar rifle support device.
  • a novel firearm support force detection system may be configured to detachable couple a bipod, or other similar support, to a rifle’ s stock.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a force detection system having a spring scale instrument positioned in line with the load path. In this preferred embodiment, as force is applied, a calibrated spring scale may be actuated and provide a manual display of the force measurement.
  • the term “matching” means two interfacing components that have the same CTE, or that their CTEs are sufficiently similar to prevent thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
  • a “matching” may include two interfacing components having a difference in CTE of 13.6 or less irrespective of the material used.
  • the term “firearm” means any device, assembly, or apparatus that can file a projectile. Examples of a firearm can include a rifle, pistol, artillery, howitzer, mortar, cannon, shotgun, carbine, automatic rifle, bolt action rifle, and the like.
  • One embodiment of the invention may be directed to a novel firearm chassis or stock assembly.
  • this embodiment may include a CTE optimized interface between the chassis (1) and the receiver (2), and preferably a rifle chassis and a rifle receiver.
  • the CTE optimized interface of the invention may include a CTE optimized interface whereby the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) have the same, or approximately the same CTE.
  • the CTE optimized interface between the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a first thermal environment zero-stress temperature such that the assembly is in a zero-stress state at the temperature of the first thermal environment.
  • the receiver (2) or chassis (1) assembly may be introduced to a second thermal environment such that the temperature differential between the first and second thermal environments may cause the mechanical distortion of the receiver (2) or chassis (1), such as the physical expansion or contraction of the component along one or more axes.
  • both the chassis (1) and receiver (2) maintain the same, or approximately the same CTE, which may allow both the receiver (2) and chassis (1) to undergo mechanical distortion in a synchronized fashion.
  • the CTE optimized interface eliminates any mismatched mechanical distortions between the chassis (1) and receiver (2) making the firearm insensitive to thermal excursions that may result from a mismatched CTE.
  • a rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a first thermal environment zero-stress temperature such that the assembly is in a zero-stress state at the temperature of the first thermal environment.
  • the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a heated or cooled environment that may match or approximate a second thermal environment where the firearm may be stored or operated.
  • the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a zero-stress temperature to form a zero-stress state that corresponds to the second thermal environment.
  • receiver (1) and chassis (2) assembly may revert back to its zero- stress state formed at the time of assembly.
  • the use of a receiver (2) and chassis (2) are exemplary only.
  • the invention as described above may extend to firearm assemblies including, but not limited to: receivers (2), chassis (1), scopes (15), scope mounts (16), stocks, or any interfacing firearm component.
  • a rifle chassis (1) may be made of a material that has the same, or approximately the same CTE to that of the rifle receiver (2) and vice versa.
  • the entire chassis may be constructed out of materials having the same or similar CTE as the corresponding receiver and vice versa.
  • a firearm chassis (1) may be configured such that a portion, and preferably the portion of the firearm chassis (2) that interfaces with a receiver (2), may be constructed out of materials having the same or similar CTE as the corresponding receiver (2) and vice versa.
  • the CTE optimized interface may reduce stress and mechanical deformation on the receiver as a result of a mismatched CTE when the thermal environment is different than the environment at which it was assembled.
  • the present inventors conducted a plurality of Finite Element Analyses (“FEA”) that compare different strategies for the design, manufacturing and assembly of a precision rifle system incorporating the inventive technology described herein.
  • FFA Finite Element Analyses
  • the present inventors simulated the effects of the application of a thermal load mimicking the introduction of a rifle chassis and receiver assembly having a mismatched CTE to a second thermal environment.
  • the initial assembly includes a stainless-steel receiver, mounted to an aluminum chassis with aluminum or plastic fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts.
  • the assembly is then modeled at a Thermal Condition (Temperature) of 120° F (48.9° C).
  • a slender bar of equal length and modeled as 6061 A1 supports the assembly with a fixed support at the far end from the chassis. This effectively acts as a far-field boundary condition (i.e. it allows the analysis to solve but it will not affect the results of the analysis).
  • the receiver may be modeled as 416 Stainless Steel and the chassis is made of 6061-T6 Aluminum, having different CTEs.
  • the present inventors have discovered empirically that the closer the CTE of the chassis is to the CTE of the receiver, the more stable over temperature the chassis and receiver may be.
  • the CTE of the chassis By more closely matching the CTE between the receiver and chassis, even as the temperature of the firearm changes, there may be less mechanical distortion induced on the receiver and thus less deformation between interfacing components. This reduced distortion equates to improved accuracy at any temperature.
  • CTE is a functional aspect of a material, and cannot be significantly changed, other materials may be investigated that have a CTE closer ⁇ 9.9ppm.
  • Figure 5 highlights some commonly available materials and their CTEs.
  • Several of the different stainless steels that may be used in the construction of a firearm have CTEs that are similar to 416 Stainless Steel, but raw material pricing and machinability make their practical use limited - for example, 416 Stainless Steel is prohibitively expensive to buy or to machine competitively. This is exacerbated if the other pieces to the rifle chassis system (fore-end support, trigger guard and grip mount) must also be made from a material that matches the CTE of the receiver.
  • additional interfaces within a firearm’s assembly may be configured to have matching CTEs.
  • various couplers, bolts or other interface components that join one or more firearm components together may be configured to have matching CTEs and may further be assembled at a desired or predicted second thermal environment to optimize the zero- stress state when the firearm is in actual operation by a user.
  • a scope (15), and scope mount (16) positioned on top of a receiver may be configured to have a matching CTE with a receiver, chassis or stock such that mechanical distortion that may occur from operation of the firearm may be substantially reduced or eliminated.
  • a scope, and scope mount positioned on top of a receiver may further be assembled at a desired or predicted second thermal environment to optimize the zero-stress state of the scope (15) and scope mount (16) as generally shown in figures 14-18 assembly when the firearm is in actual operation by a user.
  • Example 3 Hybrid Firearm Components and Directional Expansion Joints.
  • the direct chassis interface to the receiver may be made from a matching or similar CTE material, such as 416 Stainless Steel, 17-4 Steel, etc. while the secondary chassis pieces, fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts may be made from aluminum, or another less expensive material.
  • a hybrid CTE chassis (3) may require the use of a thermal expansion joint, and preferably a directional expansion joint (4).
  • a firearm chassis may include a hybrid firearm chassis (3).
  • a hybrid chassis (3) may include a matching CTE interface (5), shown here as the upper portion of the chassis. This matching CTE interface (5) may be configured to match the CTE of one or more corresponding assembly parts, such as a receiver, or coupler configured to secure the chassis to the receiver and the like.
  • a hybrid chassis (3) may further include a variable CTE interface (6), preferably made from a less expensive material such as aluminum that may have a different CTE than the matching CTE interface (5).
  • a variable CTE interface (6) may include the lower portion of a chassis, as well as secondary components such as a trigger guard and the like.
  • a hybrid chassis (3) may include one or more directional expansion joints (4).
  • a directional expansion joint (4) may be configured to restrain mechanical distortion between portions of a hybrid chassis (3) or other components that have differential CTEs.
  • a directional expansion joint (4) may include a variable anchor (7) coupling the variable CTE interface (6) with a support (8), which in this case is shown as a linear rod positioned parallel to the hybrid chassis (3).
  • This support (8) may be coupled with a CTE interface anchor (9) secured to the CTE interface (5) of the chassis.
  • the coupling between the support (8) and CTE interface anchor (9) may be tractable, such that thermal expansion resulting from operation of the firearm is constrained and re-directed along the X axis minimizing distortion that may negatively affect accuracy and point-of-aim stability.
  • a hybrid chassis (3) may include one or more expansion slots (10).
  • an expansion slot (10) may include one or more slot position between components that may allow for expansion along a desired axis.
  • an expansion slot (10) may be positioned between the trigger guard and variable CTE interface (6). In this configuration, mechanical distortion, re-directed along the X axis by one or more directional expansion joints (4), may allow the different components of an assembly having differential CTEs to expand along a desired axis where the expansion slot (10) provides a voided space to accept this expansion and prevent undesired contact between assembly components.
  • the invention may further include one or more thermal expansion joints (11) that may be used to affix one or more secondary components, such as additional chassis pieces, fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts, to a primary rifle component such as a chassis, stock, and the like.
  • one or more secondary components such as a trigger guard shown in Figure 12, may be coupled with a primary rifle component such as a chassis so as to be aligned with the rifle’s X axis (which generally aligns with the bore of the rifle).
  • the secondary component may be held rigidly in the Y- or Z-axes but may be allowed to slide along the X axis with respect to the coupled primary component such as a chassis.
  • the thermal expansion joint allows one or more secondary components to expand or contract in response to heat generated or lost from ambient conditions or from operation of the firearm that may cause the mechanical distortion of primary components such as a chassis or receiver.
  • a thermal expansion joint allows a secondary component such as a fore-end piece, trigger guard or grip mount to expand or contract at different rates compared to the chassis such that no added stress is placed on the chassis system due to any mechanical distortion.
  • the thermal expansion joint of the invention further prevents stress from being introduced to a receiver that might cause bending about the Y axis and a subsequent loss in accuracy.
  • a trigger guard may be coupled to a chassis with a plurality of thermal expansion joints (11).
  • a thermal expansion joint (11) may include one or more mounting bolts (12) positioned within an aperture having a larger diameter than the mounting bolt. This configuration forms a voided space (13) as shown in the figures.
  • the mounting bolt (12) may be further coupled with one or more washers (14), and preferably Teflon ® washers that may allow sliding of the firearm components, in this case being a trigger guard within the voided space (13).
  • thermal expansion joint (11) may form a secure mount for one or more secondary components, while also allowing for thermal expansion that may occur in response to the heat generated from introduction of the firearm into a thermal environment that is different than the thermal environment present during assembly of the firearm’s components.
  • the invention’s thermal expansion joint provides a sliding buffer in response to mechanical distortion such that it is not passed to the chassis or receiver which may reduce overall accuracy of the firearm during operation.
  • embodiments described herein may include a variety of firearm components that include one or more of the inventive features described above.
  • a chassis, receivers, scope mounts, scope tubes couplers and bolts, stocks, fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts may be configured to have matching CTEs or may further be configured as hybrid components having one or more thermal expansion joints as generally described herein.
  • Example 5 Rotational Recoil Dampener. Improved Muzzle Break and Improved Suppressor.
  • a rotational recoil dampener (17) may include one or more fluid tracks (18) that may be mounted to a firearm.
  • the fluid track (18) may be a curved fluid filled chamber that may be positioned over, for example a firearm’s barrel or other component.
  • the fluid track (18) may contain a quantity of a viscous fluid, such as oil that may be in fluid communication throughout the fluid track (18).
  • two fluid tracks (18) may be positioned in an opposing paired fashion to more effectively dampen the rotational recoil generated from operation of the firearm.
  • the rotational recoil dampener (17) may include a coupler (22) component that may be configured to allow the rotational recoil dampener (17) to be rigidly secured to a firearm.
  • one, or a plurality of rotational recoil dampeners (17) having opposing paired fluid tracks (18) may be coupled to a firearm mount (23) which may be generally described as a firearm component that may be configured to secure a rotational recoil dampener (17).
  • one or more block (20) components may be positioned within a fluid track (18) and further secured by one or more springs (19) coupled to the ends of the fluid track (18).
  • a block (20) may have a defined mass, and one or more block apertures (21) allowing fluid communication of the fluid within the fluid track (18) across the block (20) component.
  • operation of a firearm may cause a rotational recoil force that may cause the fluid, in this case a viscous oil, to pass through the block aperture (21) of the block (20) component transferring the rotational energy from the rotational recoil into heat.
  • the rotational recoil dampener (17) of the current invention may be configured to be adaptable to a variety of firearm types.
  • each of the components of the rotational recoil dampener (17) may be adjusted to be optimized for a firearm having a known rotational recoil profile.
  • the viscosity of the fluid with the fluid track (18), the spring size and/or constants, the block (18) mass, and the size and shape of the block aperture (21) may be adjusted to be optimized for a firearm having a known rotational recoil profile.
  • the invention may include a novel and improved muzzle brake (24) configured to suppress rotational recoil generated by operation of the firearm, for example as generated by a rapidly rotating a bullet traveling down a rifled barrel.
  • the muzzle brake (24) of the invention may be configured redirect high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a vector that is counter to the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel.
  • a muzzle brake (24) may include a barrel attachment (25), such as an internally threaded position that may be securely mated with the end of a barrel thereby coupling the body (26) of the muzzle brake (24) to the firearm.
  • the one or more vectored discharge channels (27) may be positioned along the length of the body (26) or the muzzle brake (24).
  • such vectored discharge channels (27) may be configured to eject the high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel.
  • the escaping gasses may be directed out of the muzzle brake (24) through one or more vectored discharge channels (27) in an outward and rotational direction that is counter to the spin of the bullet leaving the barrel - which may change depending on whether the barrel of the firearm has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
  • the muzzle brake (24) may reduce both the linear and rotational recoil generated by the discharge of the firearm.
  • the barrel attachment (25) of the invention may be configured to position the muzzle brake (24) into a specific position such that the vectored discharge channels (27) may be orientated to eject the high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel.
  • the size, and angle of the vectored discharge channels (27) may be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of a specific type of firearm, and/or type of ammunition used.
  • a suppressor may be configured to incorporate one or more elements of a muzzle break to reduce linear and rotational recoil.
  • a suppressor (31) may include one or more vectored discharge channels (27) in fluid communication with a discharge passage (28).
  • the internal portion of a vectored suppressor (31) may include one or more discharge passages (28) formed by a concentric angled partition (29).
  • a concentric angled partition (29) may be angled toward the barrel of the firearm and may further include an aperture to allow the bullet leaving the barrel to pass through the vectored suppressor (31) unimpeded.
  • Such concentric angled partition (29) may be positioned in series and may be in fluid communication with one or more vectored discharge channels (27) through a discharge vent (30).
  • the high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel may be directed by a series of concentric angled partitions (29) to suppress noise and then through another series of discharge vents (30) and out of the vectored suppressor (31) through one or more corresponding vectored discharge channel (27) oriented to counter to the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel and muzzle brake (24).
  • the escaping gasses may be directed out of the vectored suppressor (31) through one or more vectored discharge channels (27) in an outward and rotational direction that is counter to the spin of the bullet leaving the barrel - which may change depending on whether the barrel of the firearm has been rifled for right twist or left twist.
  • the vectored suppressor (31) may suppress not only the sound emitted from discharge of the firearm, but both the linear and rotational recoil also generated by discharge of the firearm.
  • Example 6 Force Detection System
  • the present inventors have developed a novel force detection system (32) configured to detect, measure, transmit and display a force measurement applied to a component of a firearm by a user.
  • the inventive technology may include a force detection system (32) configured to detect, measure, transmit, and display a force measurement applied to the rear of a buttstock by, for example a user’s shoulder, as would occur when a shooter is in a standard firing position.
  • a force detection system (32) may include a force sensor positioned between a firearm’s buttstock (38) and a chassis and receiver assembly (39).
  • a load may be applied to the rear of the buttstock by a shooter’s shoulder which is transmitted to a force sensor coupled to the proximal end of the buttstock (38) and joined with the chassis and receiver assembly (39).
  • the load applied to the rear or distal end of the buttstock may be detected by the force sensor and processed as generally described below.
  • a force detection system (32) may include one or more load cells (34) configured to measure and process a force applied to a firearm’s buttstock (38) by a user.
  • a load cell (34) may be secured to a firearm by a mounting pad (33) positioned within a housing (42) which may further be secured to a chassis and receiver assembly (39).
  • a buttstock (38) may be coupled with a rigidly secured outer hinge (36) component that further holds a tractable inner hinge (35) component secured to the proximal end of the buttstock (38).
  • the outer hinge (36) component may include an aperture position that may allow a post (41) element to pass through.
  • the post (41) may be integral with the inner hinge (35) component or may be separately secured and adjustable to allow calibration of the distance between the load cell (34) and post (41).
  • the post (41) may be responsive to a force load applied to the buttstock (38) such that it may engage with the load cell (34) activating it.
  • a complaint gasket (37) may be placed between the outer hinge (36) and the chassis and receiver assembly (39) it is connected to.
  • a complaint gasket (37) may be made of a material that is less pliant than that of the load cell (34).
  • the complaint gasket (37) may be axially soft and stiff in every axis such that it directs the force load to go through the rigid load cell (34) where it can accurately be measured and subsequently processed.
  • a force load detection system (32) may be configured to detect and display a force input from one or more firearm components.
  • a firearm, and preferably a rifle may be configured to be coupled with bipod, tripod or other structure design to support a rifle during operation.
  • a bipod or other device may be coupled with the barrel of the rifle, or preferably the stock of the rifle.
  • a force load detection system (32) may be incorporated into a bipod or other structure design to support a rifle during operation, which in other embodiments, a force load detection system (32) may include a supplementary components that may be configured to be secures to a rifle, and preferably the stock of a rifle and an exemplary support device, such as a bipod.
  • a load cell (34) may be secured to a mounting pad (33) and positioned such that a load force applied to the rifle may cause a post (41) element to engage the load cell (34) and generate a display of the force measurement as generally described below.
  • a complaint gasket (37) may be placed between an outer hinge (36) or other equivalent components and the bipod assembly it is connected to.
  • a complaint gasket (37) may be made of a material that is less pliant than that of the load cell (34).
  • the complaint gasket (37) may be axially soft and stiff in every axis such that it directs the force load to go through the rigid load cell (34) where it can accurately be measured and subsequently processed.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include the collection and real-time display of force measurements.
  • a force measurement may be taken and transmitted to a display such as a series of LED lights, fiber optics, an LCD panel, or the like.
  • Additional embodiments may include a modular and/or integrated system incorporated into a heads up display that may present the force measurement display through a rifle scope.
  • a force measurement may be taken and transmitted to another device such as a cell phone or tablet for review of consistency as a training aid.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a continuous force adjustment display system.
  • a force measurement may be taken and transmitted to a display having a pre-configured range of optimal force.
  • a display feedback may be presented to a shooter to let them know that the firearm is in the optimal position to fire. If, on the other hand the force measurement is outside the pre-configured range of optimal force, a display feedback may be presented to a shooter to let them know that the firearm is not within the optimal position to fire and that the force being applied to the firearm needs to be adjusted.
  • a user may connect to the force detection system of the invention via a phone app and set a desired pressure or force to be applied to the firearm, and preferably to the buttstock. The user can then apply a load to the buttstock which is measured by the force detection system of the invention. When sufficient load has been applied a display feedback, such as a LED may light up. In this embodiment, a user can also set an over-force4imit such that if too much force is applied, a different LED will light up.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may include a force detection system circuit having an electronic transducer that measures force, pressure or similar effect and converts the applied input into a voltage that can be processed by an electrical circuit and shown back to the user as a display feedback.
  • %Bullet Angular Velocity bullet velocity angular [(((endTwistRate- startTwistRate)/max(bulletj30sition_linear)).*bulletj30sition_linear+startTwistRate).*bullet_vel ocity linear];
  • A_inlet_bore (caliber/2) A 2*pi;%m A 2
  • P exit initial pressureCurve_fit(length(timeInBarrel));%Pa
  • A_inlet_tot A_inlet_bore + A_inlet_tangent
  • %Gun Linear Acceleration gun_acceleration_linear(i) force(i)/gunMass;
  • %Gun Linear Velocity gun velocity linear(i) gun velocity linear(i-l) + gun_acceleration_linear(i)*time_step;
  • %Gun Linear Position gun posi ti on_l i near(i ) gun_position_linear(i-l ) + gun_velocity_linear(i)*time_step;

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Abstract

The present invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus configured to supplement the functionality of firearms such as high-precision bolt action rifle. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and apparatus configured to increase firearm accuracy and repeatability.

Description

NOVEL FIREARM ASSEMBLIES CONFIGURED TO DETECT FORCE, SUPPRESS ROTATIONAL RECOIL, AND REDUCE MECHANICAL DISTORTION AND
METHODS OF USE THEREOF
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/913,347, filed October 10, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/913,271, filed October 10, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/911,637, filed October 7, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention further relates to firearm design, manufacture, and use, and in particular novel firearm assemblies configured to increase firing accuracy and repeatability.
BACKGROUND
Firearms require a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. However, there exists several technical challenges that inhibits traditionally constructed firearms from achieving this desired level of accuracy and repeatability. For example, high-precision bolt action rifles like those typically used in sporting and military applications require exacting tolerances between the components. This is especially true for firearm components that may be coupled together such that small distortions between one or more components may have a significant downstream effect on the firearm’s mechanical integrity and may further lead to a loss of firing accuracy. This mechanical distortion is especially prevalent at the interface of firearm components having different Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE), which generally describes the extent to which a material expands upon heating. As detailed below, each firearm component, such as a chassis, receiver, scope mount, stock or even a scope, may be manufactured from a different material, and as a result have a unique CTE.
For instance, traditional bolt-action rifles may have a receiver component made from a hard stainless steel, such as 416 steel, while a chassis, stock, scope mount or scope among other components may be made from aluminum, or composites, each having a different CTE than 416 steel. As detailed below, when one or more firearm components, such as a chassis and receiver, are assembled in a specific thermal environment, the original assembly is considered to be at a zero-stress temperature, meaning that the orientation and tolerances of the two components having different CTEs are optimized for that configuration in that thermal environment. For example, when a chassis and receiver are assembled at a standard room temperature environment of 72° F, the zero-stress temperature of the interface of that assembly is 72° F. In this configuration, the firearm’s chassis and receiver are optimized to operate at 72° F. However, when a chassis and receiver are assembled at a standard room temperature environment of 72° F, and then the firearm is operated in a different thermal environment, such as desert or tundra environment, the chassis and receiver will respond according to their material’s unique CTE resulting in mechanical distortion of the components. In this situation, the firearm’s chassis, and receiver, being mechanically distorted, are no longer optimized to operate in this new thermal environment. More importantly, by introducing mechanical distortion into the coupled components, the firearm may lose line-of-fire alignment which ultimately results in a loss of firing accuracy.
In another example, as noted above, users of modern sport and military rifles, and in particular high precisions bolt-action rifles, have steadily begun incorporating heavier bullets with larger powder loads for longer range applications resulting in more rotational recoil that is currently not being addressed by traditional recoil suppression systems. Linear recoil (often referred to as knockback, kickback or simply kick) is the backward movement of a firearm when it is discharged. More specifically, the recoil momentum acquired by the gun balances the forward momentum of the projectile and exhaust gases (ejecta) according to the laws of conservation of momentum. On the other hand, rotational recoil is the angular rotation of a firearm when it is discharged. The rotational recoil momentum acquired by the gun balances the rotational momentum of the projectile and exhaust gasses (ejecta) according to the laws of conservation of angular momentum.
In this instance, a projectile acquires rotational momentum as it is rotationally accelerated by the rifling in a barrel or by the rifling built into the projectile. The total rotational momentum of the projectile is equal to the angular velocity of the projectile and exhaust gasses multiplied by the second moment of inertia of the projectile and exhaust gasses. Rotational recoil can be particularly difficult to deal with as a shooter because the rotation of the gun also rotates the scope such that the target is no longer visible. This makes it difficult for the shooter to see whether or not his shot has hit the target. Rotational recoil will also affect right and left handed shooters differently such that the rotational recoil may push the gun into one’s cheek or away from one’s cheek. This can result in difficulty with timely follow-up shots or even injury to the shooter.
In a final example, the velocity of a bullet can vary depending on how much force a shooter applies to the rear of the firearm. In addition, this force may affect the recoil management of the shooter and thereby the accuracy and repeatability which is especially important for high-precision rifle systems like those used in shooting competitions or in military applications. However, other than a shooter’s intuitive “feel” there is no way to know the level of force being applied to the firearm, or more importantly, what might be the optimal level of force to apply to the rear of the firearm. As a result, there exists a need for a system to measure how much force a shooter is applying to a firearm, for example through the shooter’s shoulder in a standard rifle firing position, and further communicate that force measurement to the shooter. Such measurements may allow a shooter to be more consistent with shot velocities and recoil management and therefore produce more accurate and repeatable shots.
As can be seen, there exists a need for an effective and economical solution to the problems related to firearm accuracy and repeatability outline above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Aspects of the present invention relate to firearms and, more particularly, to the matching of CTEs of interfacing firearm components of high-precision bolt-action rifles configured to improve shooting accuracy and to supplement functionality. The present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components are made from materials with mismatched CTEs and then exposed to a range of different temperatures, relative to the temperature at which they were assembled. Although many firearm components are considered here and will be presented in further detail, some of the major notable components which most notably improve accuracy from being machined from matching CTEs materials include rifle chassis, stocks, scope mounts, scope tubes, etc. The present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components that may or may not include the same or similar CTEs, are assembled in one thermal environment, but operated in a second, different thermal environment.
One aspect of the present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to interfacing components of rifles that may be configured to have matching CTEs. In a preferred aspect, one or more interfacing firearm components may be assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly. This first thermal environment may be customized, or manipulated to match, or approximate a second thermal environment where the rifle may be expected to operate. For example, in one preferred aspect, one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a desert or in the summertime, may be assembled in a heated first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated. In another preferred aspect, one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a novel CTE optimized firearm assembly. In this preferred embodiment, one or more interfacing firearm components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE. In certain embodiments, a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more directly or indirectly interfacing components. In alternative aspects a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more interfacing firearm components, where only the interfacing portion of the components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE. Such hybrid components may be coupled with one or more expansion joints as herein described.
In another preferred aspect, a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include a firearm assembly incorporating two or more of the following interfacing firearm components: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and grip mounts among others.
In another aspect, two or more interfacing firearm components having the same or similar CTE that may be operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a desert or in the summertime, may be assembled in a heated first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
In another aspect, one or more interfacing firearm components having the same or similar CTE that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
Additional aspects of the invention include novel design features for one or more thermal expansion joints that may be designed for use with a firearm, and more particularly interfacing firearm components, and even more preferably hybrid particularly interfacing firearm components. This novel technology allows hybrid interfacing firearm components to be made from a material with a mismatched CTE, for example to the receiver, stock, or chassis, and still not cause mechanical deformations to the receiver, stock, or chassis as a result of temperature changes. The inventive technology allows for an accurate precision rifle system that is insensitive to thermal excursions for a reduced price of manufacturing.
One aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus for a firearm. In one preferred aspect, the invention may include a firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus configured to reduce rotational recoil generated from the operation of a firearm.
Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally. Another aspect of the invention includes methods of using a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally. Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to be rigidly secured to a firearm that may reduce rotational recoil and increase firing accuracy and repeatability. Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Another aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to convert rotational energy generated from the operation of a firearm into heat that may be dissipated thereby reducing the rotational recoil generation from the operation of a firearm.
One aspect of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener having one or more fluid filled tracks having a spring supported block that allows fluid communication of a viscous fluid, such as an oil. Another aspect of the invention includes systems and methods of coupling a rotational recoil dampener to a firearm. Another aspect of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to suppress rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
Another aspect of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted. In one preferred aspect, the invention may include a novel muzzle brake having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirected exhaust gasses are released from the muzzle brake so as to counteract the rotational recoil of the firearm during operation. Another aspect of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Another aspect of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to incorporate aspects of a muzzle break for linear recoil while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation.
Another aspect of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted, while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation. In one preferred aspect, the invention may include a novel suppressor having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirect exhaust gasses are released from the suppressor so as to counteract the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm during operation. Another aspect of the invention may include a novel suppressor for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
One aspect of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system. In a preferred aspect, the inventive technology may include a system that allows measurement of force applied from the user’s shoulder to the rifle’s buttstock which may further be displayed to the shooter in real time. Another aspect of the invention allows for the collection of force measurements that may be stored for later display.
Another aspect of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications. This is critical since the more consistent of a force a shooter applies to the buttstock of the precision rifle system, the more consistent the velocity of the shot will be and the more consistent the shooter’s recoil management will be, both of which improve accuracy. Since the ability to hit a target at long ranges depends on the shooters ability to predict the speed of the bullet and consistently manage recoil, this novel technology helps the shooter hit targets more reliably. Real time force measurements can be presented to the shooter as he takes aim or reported to the shooter after a shot to practice repeatability. Another aspect of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm support force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications.
In a preferred aspect, a novel firearm support force detection system may be incorporated into a bipod, or other similar rifle support device. In another preferred embodiment, a novel firearm support force detection system may be configured to detachable couple a bipod, or other similar support, to a rifle’s stock. Another aspect of the invention may include a force detection system having a spring scale instrument positioned in line with the load path. In this preferred aspect, as force is applied, a calibrated spring scale may be actuated and provide a manual display of the force measurement.
Additional aspects of the inventive technologies may include one or more of the following preferred embodiments:
1. A method of reducing mechanical distortion in a firearm comprising:
- assembling a firearm having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched firearm; and
- introducing said CTE matched firearm to a thermal environment causing said interfacing components to undergo coordinated thermal expansion (CTX).
2. The method of embodiment 1 wherein said matching CTE comprise interfacing components having a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
3. The method of embodiment 1 wherein said interfacing components comprise a receiver and a chassis having matching CTEs.
4. The method of embodiment 1 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and a grip mount.
5. The method of embodiments 1 and 3 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same. 6. The method of embodiment 1 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing accuracy.
7. The method of embodiment 1 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing repeatability.
8. The method of embodiment 1 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased resistance to thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
9. The method of embodiment 1 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said CTE matched firearm at a first thermal environment forming a zero- state CTE matched firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE matched firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
10. The method of embodiment 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
11. The method of embodiment 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C 75° C.
12. The method of embodiment 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
13. The method of embodiment 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
14. The method of embodiment 9 and further comprising the step of reassembling said zero-state CTE matched firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
15. The method of embodiment 14 and further comprising operating said zero-state assembly for said firearm at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
16. The firearm of embodiment 1 wherein said thermal environment comprises a thermal environment caused by firing said firearm.
17. An improved firearm assembly comprising: - a firearm having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched firearm; and
- wherein said interfacing components of said CTE matched firearm undergo coordinated thermal expansion (CTX) when exposed to a thermal condition.
18. The firearm of embodiment 17 wherein said matching CTE comprise interfacing components having a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
19. The firearm of embodiment 18 wherein said interfacing components comprise a receiver and a chassis having matching CTEs.
20. The firearm of embodiments 17 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and a grip mount.
21. The firearm of embodiments 17 and 19-20 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
22. The firearm of embodiment 17 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing accuracy.
23. The firearm of embodiment 17 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing repeatability.
24. The firearm of embodiment 17 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased resistance to thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
25. The firearm of embodiment 17 and further comprising:
- said CTE matched firearm is assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero- state CTE matched firearm; and
- wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
26. The firearm of embodiment 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
27. The firearm of embodiment 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
28. The firearm of embodiment 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
29. The firearm of embodiment 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
30. The firearm of embodiment 25 and further comprising wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm is assembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
31. The firearm of embodiment 30 and further comprising wherein said zero-state assembly for said firearm is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
32. The firearm of embodiment 25 wherein said thermal condition comprises a thermal condition generated by firing said firearm.
33. A method of reducing thermal-induced mechanical distortion in a firearm assembly comprising:
- assembling a firearm having one or more interfacing components at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing components of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state CTE matched firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE matched firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
34. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
35. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C. 36. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
37. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
38. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
39. The method of embodiments 33 and 38 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
40. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing accuracy.
41. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing repeatability.
42. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said interfacing components are coupled with one or more thermal expansion joints.
43. The method of embodiment 33 and further comprising the step of reassembling said firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
44. The method of embodiment 43 and further comprising operating said zero-state assembly for said firearm at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
45. The method of embodiment 33 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
46. A firearm assembly comprising:
- a firearm having one or more interfacing components assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing components of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state CTE matched firearm; and - wherein said a zero-state CTE matched firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
47. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
48. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
49. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
50. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
51. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
52. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said interfacing components have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
53. The firearm of embodiments 46 and 52 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
54. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing accuracy.
55. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing repeatability.
56. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said interfacing components are coupled with one or more thermal expansion joints. 57. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm is reassembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
58. The firearm of embodiment 57 wherein said zero-state assembly for said firearm is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
59. The firearm of embodiment 46 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
60. A method of reducing thermal-induced mechanical distortion in a firearm assembly comprising:
- assembling a firearm having an interfacing chassis and receiver at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said interfacing chassis and receiver, wherein said interfacing chassis and receiver of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly; and
- operating said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
61. The method of embodiment 60 wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver assembly comprises hybrid a chassis and receiver component.
62. The method of embodiment 60 and further comprising the step of reassembling said interfacing chassis and receiver at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm.
63. The method of embodiment 62 and further comprising operating said firearm having a zero- state chassis and receiver assembly at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
64. The method of embodiment 60 wherein said chassis and receiver assembly comprises a chassis and receiver assembly for a bolt-action rifle.
65. The method of embodiment 60 wherein said chassis and receiver have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less. 66. The method of embodiments 60 and 65 wherein said chassis and receiver are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
67. A firearm assembly comprising:
- a firearm having an interfacing chassis and receiver assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state interfacing chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing chassis and receiver of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly; and
- wherein said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver resists thermal- induced mechanical distortion.
68. The firearm of embodiment 67 wherein said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is reassembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm.
69. The firearm of embodiment 68 wherein said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
70. The firearm of embodiment 67 wherein said chassis and receiver assembly comprises a chassis and receiver assembly for a bolt-action rifle.
71. The firearm of embodiment 67 wherein said chassis and receiver have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
72. The firearm of embodiments 67 and 71 wherein said chassis and receiver are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
73. A method of reducing mechanical distortion in a firearm comprising:
- assembling a firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component, wherein said hybrid interfacing component includes:
- a matching CTE interface configured to interface with a second component having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and
- a variable CTE interface having a mismatched CTE as compared to said second component;
- coupling said matching CTE interface and said variable CTE interface with a directional expansion joint configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of said hybrid interfacing component.
74. The method of embodiment 73 wherein said matching CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
75. The method of embodiment 73 wherein said variable CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of more than 13.6ppm.
76. The method of embodiment 73 wherein said hybrid interfacing component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
77. The method of embodiment 73 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated, in part or in whole, from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same..
78. The method of embodiment 73 wherein said directional expansion joint comprises:
- at least one variable anchor coupled to said variable CTE interface and responsive to a tractable support coupled to said matching CTE interface by a tractable CTE interface anchor; and - wherein said directional expansion joint is configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of the firearm components along the X-axis of the expansion joint.
79. The method of embodiment 73 and further comprising the step of establishing one or more expansion slots positioned between firearm components configured to allow expansion along a pre-determined axis.
80. The method of embodiment 73 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
81. The method of embodiment 80 and further comprising the step of reassembling said CTE hybrid firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
82. The method of embodiment 81 and further comprising operating said firearm having a zero- state assembly at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
83. A firearm comprising:
- a firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component, wherein said hybrid interfacing component includes:
- a matching CTE interface configured to interface with a second component having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and
- a variable CTE interface having a mismatched CTE as compared to said second component;
- wherein said matching CTE interface and said variable CTE interface are coupled with one or more directional expansion joints configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of said hybrid interfacing component.
84. The firearm of embodiment 83 wherein said matching CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less. 85. The firearm of embodiment 83 wherein said variable CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of more than 13.6ppm.
86. The firearm of embodiment 83 wherein said hybrid interfacing component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
87. The firearm of embodiment 83 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same..
88. The firearm of embodiment 83 wherein said directional expansion joint comprises:
- at least one variable anchor coupled to said variable CTE interface and responsive to a tractable support coupled to said matching CTE interface by a tractable CTE interface anchor;
- wherein said directional expansion joint is configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of the firearm components along the X-axis of the expansion joint.
89. The firearm of embodiment 83 and further comprising one or more expansion slots positioned between firearm components configured to allow expansion along a pre-determined axis.
90. The firearm of embodiment 83 and further comprising:
- wherein said firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component is assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm; and
- wherein said a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
91. The firearm of embodiment 90 wherein said firearm is reassembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
92. The firearm of embodiment 91 wherein said zero-state assembly for said firearm is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment. 93. A thermal expansion joint device for a firearm comprising:
- a mounting bolt positioned within an aperture of a secondary firearm component having a larger diameter than said mounting bolt;
- one or more washers positioned around said mounting bolt;
- wherein said mounting bolt is coupling said secondary firearm component to a primary firearm component and is further configured to allow said secondary firearm component to slide within a voided space along a pre-determined axis.
94. The device of embodiment 93 wherein said secondary component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis accessory piece; a receiver, a scope, a scope mount, a fore-end piece, a trigger guard; and a grip mount.
95. The device of embodiment 93 wherein said primary component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, and a stock.
96. The device of embodiment 93 wherein said pre-determined axis comprises the X-axis in-line with the barrel of said firearm.
97. The method of embodiment 93 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said firearm having at least one thermal expansion joint at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
98. The method of embodiment 97 and further comprising the step of reassembling said firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
99. The method of embodiment 98 and further comprising operating said zero-state assembly for said firearm at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
100. A method of increasing the accuracy of a firearm of any embodiment above comprising thermocycling said firearm assembly prior to operation.
101. The method of embodiment 100 wherein said step of thermocycling a firearm comprises heating said firearm assembly:
- from room temperature to at least 50° C; or - between 20° C to 50° C; or
- greater than 25° C; or
- greater than 50° C. wherein in said heating to allows all joints and mechanical interfaces of said firearm to settle.
102. A method of reducing mechanical distortion in an optical device comprising:
- assembling an optical device having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched optical device; and
- introducing said CTE matched optical device to a thermal environment causing said interfacing components to undergo coordinated thermal expansion (CTX).
103. The method of embodiment 102 wherein said optical device comprises an optical device selected from the group consisting of: an optical survey device, a scope, a telescope, an optical communications device, a sight, an optical targeting device, or a mount for the same.
104. The firearm of embodiment 102 wherein said interfacing components have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
105. The method of embodiment 102 and further comprising the step of:
- assembling said optical device having at least one -interfacing component at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE optical device; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE optical device at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE optical device resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
106. The method of embodiment 102 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said optical device having at least one hybrid interfacing component at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid optical device; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE hybrid optical device at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid optical device resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion. 107. The method of embodiment 102 wherein said interfacing components comprise hybrid interfacing components.
108. The method of embodiment 107 wherein said hybrid interfacing components are coupled with one or more directional expansion joints.
109. A rotational recoil dampener device comprising:
- a fluid track configured to be coupled to the barrel of a firearm;
- a quantity of viscous fluid situated within said fluid track;
- a block positioned within said fluid track having an aperture allowing fluid communication of said viscous fluid within said fluid track;
- at least one spring secured to the ends of the fluid track and securing said block; and
- wherein a rotational recoil force generated by operation of the firearm causes said viscous fluid to pass through said block aperture of said block component converting the rotational energy from said rotational recoil force into heat.
110. The device of embodiment 109 wherein the fluid track is configured to be positioned around the barrel of a firearm.
111. The device of embodiment 110 wherein the fluid track comprises a plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
112. The device of embodiment 111 and further comprising at least one coupler configured to secure said plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
113. The device of embodiment 111 and further comprising a firearm mount configured to secure said plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
114. The device of embodiments 112-113 wherein said coupler is configured to be secured to a firearm mount.
115. The device of embodiment 109 wherein said viscous fluid comprises oil.
116. The device of embodiment 115 wherein said oil is calibrated to increase or decrease viscosity.
117. The device of embodiment 109 wherein said spring is calibrated by adjusting its size, spring constant, or mass.
118. The device of embodiment 109 wherein said block is calibrated by adjusting its size, mass, or shape and/or size of said block aperture. 119. The device of embodiment 109 wherein said block positioned within said fluid track comprise a block positioned at the midpoint of said fluid track.
120. The device of embodiment 109 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
121. A method of dampening rotational recoil comprising:
- establishing a fluid track having:
- a quantity of viscous fluid situated within said fluid track;
- a block positioned within said fluid track having an aperture allowing fluid communication of said viscous fluid within said fluid track;
- at least one spring secured to the ends of the fluid track and securing said block;
- coupling said fluid track to the barrel of a firearm;
- generating a rotational recoil force by operation of said firearm;
- converting the rotational energy from said rotational recoil force into heat by causing said viscous fluid to pass through said block aperture of said block component in response to said rotational recoil force.
122. The method of embodiment 121 wherein said step of coupling said fluid track to the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of positioning said fluid track around the barrel of a firearm.
123. The method of embodiment 122 wherein said step of positioning said fluid track around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm.
124. The method of embodiment 122 wherein said step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm with a coupler.
125. The method of embodiment 122 wherein said step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm with a coupler with a firearm mount.
126. The method of embodiments 124-125 wherein said coupler is configured to be secured to a firearm mount.
127. The method of embodiment 121 wherein said viscous fluid comprises oil.
128. The method of embodiment 121 and further comprising the step of calibrating the viscosity of said oil to increase or decrease viscosity. 129. The method of embodiment 121 and further comprising the step of calibrating said spring by adjusting its size, spring constant, or mass.
130. The method of embodiment 121 and further comprising the step of calibrating said block by adjusting its size, mass, or shape and/or size of said block aperture.
131. The method of embodiment 121 wherein said block positioned within said fluid track comprise a block positioned at the midpoint of said fluid track.
132. The method of embodiment 121 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
133. A muzzle break device configured to dampen rotational recoil comprising:
- a muzzle break having a body and a barrel attachment;
- a barrel of a firearm configured to be coupled with said barrel attachment;
- one or more vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break;
- wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels are configured to eject high-pressure and high-velocity gases exiting said barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm countering the rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
134. The device of embodiment 133 wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels comprises a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break.
135. The device of embodiment 134 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
136. The device of embodiment 133 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
137. The device of embodiment 133 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
138. The device of embodiment 133 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
139. A method dampening rotational recoil of a firearm comprising: - coupling a muzzle break having a body and a barrel attachment with the barrel of a firearm wherein said muzzle break has one or more vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break;
- discharging said firearm; and
- directing high-pressure and high-velocity gases exiting said barrel through said one or more vectored discharge channels in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm countering the rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
140. The method of embodiment 139 wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels comprises a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break.
141. The method of embodiment 140 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
142. The method of embodiment 139 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
143. The method of embodiment 139 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
144. The method of embodiment 139 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
145. A firearm suppressor device comprising:
- a vectored suppressor having:
- a body and a barrel attachment;
- a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said vectored suppressor;
- a vectored discharge passage in fluid communication with said plurality of vectored discharge channels wherein said vectored discharge passage is formed by a series of concentric angled partitions; and
- a plurality of discharge vents in fluid communication which are in fluid communication with said series of concentric angled partitions; - wherein high-pressure and high-velocity gases are directed to said series of concentric angled partitions suppressing the noise of a bullet being ejected from said barrel; and
- wherein said vectored discharge channels are configured eject high-pressure and high- velocity gases transmitted from said plurality of discharge vents, the channels being configured to counter the linear and rotational recoil generated by said bullet being ejected from said barrel.
146. The device of embodiment 145 wherein each of said concentric angled partitions is in fluid communication with at least one vectored discharge channel.
147. The device of embodiment 145 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
148. The device of embodiment 145 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
149. The device of embodiment 145 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
150. The device of embodiment 145 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
151. A method of suppressing a firearm comprising:
- coupling a vectored suppressor having a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the length of the suppressor’s body to the barrel of a firearm through a barrel attachment;
- discharging said firearm wherein a bullet travels through a vectored discharge passage formed by a series of concentric angled partitions; and
- directing a first quantity of high-pressure and high-velocity gases to said series of concentric angled partitions suppressing the noise of a bullet being ejected from said barrel; and
- directing a second quantity high-pressure and high-velocity gases from said series of concentric angled partitions through a plurality of discharge vents in fluid communication with vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said vectored suppressor configured to counter to linear and rotational recoil generated by said bullet being ejected from said barrel
152. The method of embodiment 151 wherein each of said concentric angled partitions is in fluid communication with at least one vectored discharge channel.
153. The method of embodiment 151 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
154. The method of embodiment 151 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
155. The method of embodiment 151 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
156. The method of embodiment 151 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
157. A force detection system comprising:
- a firearm assembly having:
- a buttstock;
- a receiver assembly;
- a rigid outer hinge coupled with the proximal end of said buttstock;
- a tractable inner hinge positioned within said rigid outer hinge and responsive to a said buttstock;
- a force sensor positioned between said buttstock and said receiver assembly and responsive to said tractable inner hinge; and
- a complaint gasket positioned between said rigid outer hinge and said receiver assembly;
- wherein a force load applied to said buttstock is transmitted through said tractable inner hinge which further transmits said force load to said force sensor.
158. The system of embodiment 157 wherein said force sensor comprises a load cell.
159. The system of embodiment 158 wherein said a tractable inner hinge is responsive to said force sensor by a post. 160. The system of embodiment 158 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to the distal end of said buttstock.
161. The system of embodiment 158 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to the firearm is in-line with said load cell.
162. The system of embodiment 158 wherein said load cell is secured to a mounting pad.
163. The system of embodiment 158 wherein said load cell and said mounting pad are positioned within a housing coupled with said receiver assembly.
164. The system of embodiment 158 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
165. The system of embodiment 158 and further comprising a display in communication with said load cell and configured to output said force load, wherein said display optionally comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
166. The system of embodiment 165 wherein said display comprises a display configured to output a signal when said force load is at or above an over-force-limit.
167. The system of embodiment 156 wherein said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
168. The system of embodiment 167 wherein said voltage signal is transmitted to a display in communication with said force load and configured to output said force load, wherein said display further comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
169. The system of embodiments 156 and 167 wherein said force load is transmitted via a signal to a computing device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into a numerical or visual display of the force load.
170. The system of embodiment 169 wherein said device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into comprises a smartphone.
171. A method of detecting a force load comprising the steps:
- establishing a firearm assembly having a buttstock in a receiver;
- coupling said buttstock and receiver assembly using a force detection system comprising:
- a rigid outer hinge coupled with the proximal end of said buttstock;
- a tractable inner hinge positioned within said rigid outer hinge and responsive to a said buttstock; - a force sensor positioned between said buttstock and said receiver assembly and responsive to said tractable inner hinge; and
- a complaint gasket positioned between said rigid outer hinge and said receiver assembly;
- applying a force load to said buttstock;
- transmitting said force load to said force sensor through said tractable inner hinge; and
- detecting said force load.
172. The method of embodiment 171 wherein said force sensor comprises a load cell.
173. The method of embodiment 172 wherein said step of transmitting comprises the step of transmitting said force load from said tractable inner hinge to said force sensor through a post.
174. The method of embodiment 172 wherein said step of applying a force load to said buttstock comprises applying a force load to the distal end of said buttstock.
175. The method of embodiment 174 wherein said step of applying a force load to the distal end of said buttstock comprises the step of applying a force load in-line with said load cell.
176. The method of embodiment 175 and further comprising the step of securing said load cell to a mounting pad.
177. The method of embodiment 176 and further comprising the step of positioning said load cell and said mounting pad within a housing coupled with said receiver assembly.
178. The method of embodiment 172 wherein said step of establishing a firearm assembly comprises the step of establishing a firearm assembly having a buttstock in a receiver configured for operation with a bolt-action rifle.
179. The method of embodiment 172 and further comprising the step of transmitting said force load to a display, wherein said display optionally comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
180. The method of embodiment 179 wherein said display comprises a display configured to output a signal when said force load is at or above an over-force-limit
181. The method of embodiment 171 wherein said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
182. The method of embodiment 181 and further comprising the step of transmitting said voltage signal to a display in communication with said force load and configured to output said force load, wherein said display further comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display. 183. The method of embodiment 171 and 181 and further comprising the step of transmitting said force load via a signal to a computing device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into a numerical or visual display of the force load.
184. The method of embodiment 181 wherein said step of transmitting said force load via a signal to a computing device comprises the step of transmitting force load via a signal to a smartphone.
185. A force detection system comprising:
- a firearm assembly having a first components coupled with a second component by a force detection assembly comprising:
- a rigid outer hinge coupled with a first component;
- a tractable inner hinge positioned within said rigid outer hinge and responsive to a said first component;
- a post responsive to said tractable inner hinge;
- a force sensor positioned between said first and second components and responsive to said tractable inner hinge; and
- a complaint gasket positioned between said rigid outer hinge and said receiver assembly;
- wherein a force load applied to said first component is transmitted through said tractable inner hinge transmits said force load to said force sensor.
186. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said first component comprises a firearm support device or a buttstock.
187. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said firearm support device comprises a bipod or a tripod.
188. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of: a bipod support, a tripod support, a rail support, a stock, a barrel, a barrel attachment, a mount, and a receiver assembly.
189. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said force sensor comprises a load cell.
190. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said a tractable inner hinge is responsive to said force sensor by a post.
191. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to said first component. 192. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to the firearm is in-line with said load cell.
193. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said load cell is secured to a mounting pad.
194. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said load cell and said mounting pad are positioned within a housing coupled with said receiver assembly.
195. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
196. The system of embodiment 185 and further comprising a display in communication with said load cell and configured to output said force load, wherein said display optionally comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
197. The system of embodiment 196 wherein said display comprises a display configured to output a signal when said force load is at or above an over-force-limit.
198. The system of embodiment 185 wherein said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
199. The system of embodiment 198 wherein said voltage signal is transmitted to a display in communication with said force load and configured to output said force load, wherein said display further comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
200. The system of embodiments 185 and 198 wherein said force load is transmitted via a signal to a computing device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into a numerical or visual display of the force load.
201. The system of embodiment 200 wherein said device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into comprises a smartphone.
Additional aspects of the invention may be evidenced from the specification, claims and figures provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain certain aspects of the inventive technology. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. FIG. 1 - shows a firearm chassis and receiver assembly under a uniform thermal condition of 120° F (48.89° C) in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 2 - shows mechanical distortion along a Z-axis of a firearm chassis and receiver having a different CTE in response to the application of a heat load in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 3 - shows mechanical distortion along a Z-axis of a firearm receiver having different CTE that a corresponding chassis in response to the application of a heat load in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 4 - shows a data set describing the thermal deformation in a firearm receiver in response to varying CTE of an Aluminum chassis in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 5 - shows CTE/degC of commonly used exemplary material in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 6 - shows the initial set-up to test the sensitivity of the system to the CTE of the fore end support, trigger guard and grip mount in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 7 - shows a side view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 8 - shows a rear view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 9 - shows a bottom perspective view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 10 - shows a top view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 11 - shows a top perspective view of an improved segmented firearm chassis having a plurality of expansion joints in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 12 - shows a cross-sectional view of a plurality of expansion joints coupling a trigger guard to an exemplary firearm chassis in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 13 - shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a plurality of expansion joints coupling a trigger guard to an exemplary firearm chassis in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 14 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for a steel scope having a single piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 15 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for a steel scope having a two piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof; FIG. 16 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for an aluminum scope having a single piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 17 - shows mechanical distortion along the Z-axis for an aluminum scope having a two piece mismatched CTE mount configuration in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 18 - shows a mockup of a of a single piece mount configuration.
FIG. 19 - shows a mockup of a of a two piece mount configuration.
FIG. 20. - shows a front view of a rotational recoil dampener having a cross-sectioned fluid track secured to an exemplary coupler in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 21. - shows a front view of a rotational recoil dampener having a cross-sectioned fluid track having a top and bottom spring coupled with a block in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 22. - shows a perspective view of a rotational recoil dampener having a cross- sectioned fluid track having a top and bottom spring coupled with a block in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 23. - shows a top view of a rotational recoil dampener positioned around a firearm mount in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 24. - shows a top view of a mass block having a block aperture in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 25. - shows a top view of a rotational recoil dampener with a mass block having a block aperture positioned around a firearm mount in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 26. - shows a top view of a rotational recoil dampener positioned around a firearm mount in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 27. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 28. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 29. - shows a front cross-sectional view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 30. - shows a side cross-sectional view of a vectored muzzle brake in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 31. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored suppressor in one alternative embodiment thereof; FIG. 32. - shows a side view of a vectored suppressor in one alternative embodiment thereof;
FIG. 33. - shows a front perspective view of a vectored suppressor in one alternative embodiment thereof;
FIG. 34. - shows a side cross-sectional view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 35. - shows a side cross-sectional view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 36. - shows a side cross-sectional line drawing view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 37. - shows a front cross-sectional view of a vectored suppressor in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 38. - shows a generalized schematic diagram of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 39. - shows an exemplary circuit (9) that may be incorporated into a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 40. - shows a detailed front perspective view of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 41. - shows a detailed expanded perspective view of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 42. - shows a detailed top view of a firearm buttstock force detection system in one embodiment thereof;
FIG. 43 - (A,B) Numerical and graphical description of horizontal and vertical shift over time of firearm receiver and chassis at increasing temperatures. ASA description shows a CTE matched receiver and chassis while industry standard shows a mismatched CTE receiver chassis thermal -induced mechanical distortion having a difference in CTE of 13.7ppm. The Matched CTE receiver and chassis being more resistant to thermal-induced mechanical distortion; and
FIG. 44 - (A-B) shows the comparison of the angular acceleration of a firearm with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention (ASA Muzzle Thruster); (C-D) shows the comparison of the angular position of a firearm with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention; (E-F) shows the comparison of the angular velocity of a firearm with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention; (G-J) shows the comparison of the overall firearm dynamics with and without a rotational recoil dampener of the invention. Data calculated according to Table 1.
MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION(S)
The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to the interfacing firearm components of high-precision bolt-action rifles configured to improve its shooting accuracy and to supplement its functionality. The present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components are made from a material with a mismatched CTE. The present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components that may further include the same or similar CTEs, are assembled in one thermal environment, but operated in a second, different thermal environment.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to firearms and, more particularly, to the matching of CTEs of interfacing firearm components of high-precision bolt-action rifles configured to improve shooting accuracy and to supplement functionality. The present invention further relates to novel strategies to compensate for mechanical distortion generated when interfacing firearm components are made from materials with mismatched CTEs and then exposed to a range of different temperatures, relative to the temperature at which they were assembled. Although many firearm components are considered here and will be presented in further detail, some of the major notable components which most notably improve accuracy from being machined from matching CTEs materials include rifle chassis, stocks, scope mounts, scope tubes, etc.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to interfacing components of rifles that may or may not be the same material but such that they are configured to have matching CTEs. In a preferred embodiment, one or more interfacing firearm components may be assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly. This first thermal environment may be customized, or manipulated to match, or approximate a second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated. For example, in one preferred embodiment, one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a desert or in the summertime, may be assembled in a heated first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated. In another preferred embodiment, one or more interfacing firearm components that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a novel CTE optimized firearm assembly. In this preferred embodiment, one or more interfacing firearm components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE. In certain embodiments, a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more directly or indirectly interfacing components. In alternative embodiments a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include one or more interfacing firearm components, where only the interfacing portion of the components may be formed from material having the same or similar CTE. Such hybrid components may be coupled with one or more expansion joints as herein described.
In another preferred embodiment, a CTE optimized firearm assembly may include a firearm assembly incorporating two or more of the following interfacing firearm components: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and grip mounts among others.
In another embodiment, one or more interfacing firearm components having the same or similar CTE that may be operated in a low-temperature environment, such as the tundra, or in the winter, may be assembled in a cooled first thermal environment forming a zero-stress temperature state for that assembly that may match the second thermal environment where the rifle may be operated.
Additional embodiments of the invention include novel design features for one or more thermal expansion joints that may be designed for use with a firearm, and more particularly interfacing firearm components, and even more preferably hybrid particularly interfacing firearm components. This novel technology allows hybrid interfacing firearm components to be made from a material with a mismatched CTE, for example to the receiver, stock, or chassis, and still not cause mechanical deformations to the receiver, stock, or chassis as a result of temperature changes. The inventive technology allows for an accurate precision rifle system that is insensitive to thermal excursions for a reduced price of manufacturing. The invention may include a novel firearm chassis or stock assembly configured to improve the accuracy of said firearm. In one preferred embodiment, the invention may include a novel firearm chassis or stock assembly configured to improve the accuracy of a precision bolt-action rifle system. This novel firearm chassis or stock assembly may thermodynamically optimize, for example a precision bolt-action rifle, or other traditional rifle configuration. Such optimization may extend across a broad range of temperatures that may be generated through operation of such a firearm. The invention’s novel firearm chassis and stock assembly may be especially applicable to high-end precision rifles that are used in competitive target sports, military applications, and the like.
Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus for a firearm. In one preferred embodiment, the invention may include a firearm stabilization and recoil control apparatus configured to reduce rotational recoil generated from the operation of a firearm. Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally. Another embodiment of the invention includes methods of using a rotational recoil dampener configured to absorb rotational energy of a firearm both during the shot and until the gun has come to rest rotationally.
Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to be rigidly secured to a firearm that may reduce rotational recoil and increase firing accuracy and repeatability. Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener configured to convert rotational energy generated from the operation of a firearm into heat that may be dissipated thereby reducing the rotational recoil generation from the operation of a firearm.
Another embodiment of the invention includes a rotational recoil dampener having one or more fluid filled tracks having a spring supported block that allows fluid communication of a viscous fluid, such as an oil. Another embodiment of the invention includes systems and methods of coupling a rotational recoil dampener to a firearm. Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to suppress rotational recoil of the firearm during operation. Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted. In one preferred embodiment, the invention may include a novel muzzle brake having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirected exhaust gasses are released from the muzzle brake so as to counteract the rotational recoil of the firearm during operation.
Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel muzzle brake for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to incorporate embodiments of a muzzle break for linear recoil while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation.
Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel suppressor configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that rotational recoil is counteracted, while also suppressing the noise of the firearm during operation. In one preferred embodiment, the invention may include a novel suppressor having a plurality of vectored exhaust ports configured to redirect exhaust gasses from the operation of the firearm such that the redirect exhaust gasses are released from the suppressor so as to counteract the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm during operation. Another embodiment of the invention may include a novel suppressor for a firearm which can be utilized with various sizes and styles of weapon, is easily adjustable and portable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Another embodiment of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive technology may include a system that allows measurement of force applied from the user’s shoulder to the rifle’s buttstock which may further be displayed to the shooter in real time. Another embodiment of the invention allows for the collection of force measurements that may be stored for later display.
Another embodiment of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm buttstock force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications. This is critical since the more consistent of a force a shooter applies to the buttstock of the precision rifle system, the more consistent the velocity of the shot will be and the more consistent the shooter’s recoil management will be, both of which improve accuracy. Since the ability to hit a target at long ranges depends on the shooters ability to predict the speed of the bullet and consistently manage recoil, this novel technology helps the shooter hit targets more reliably. Real time force measurements can be presented to the shooter as he takes aim or reported to the shooter after a shot to practice repeatability.
Another embodiment of the inventive technology includes a novel firearm support force detection system that allows the shooter to apply a consistent amount of force to firearm, and preferably a precision rifle system like those used in competitive shooting events or military applications. In a preferred embodiment, a novel firearm support force detection system may be incorporated into a bipod, or other similar rifle support device. In another preferred embodiment, a novel firearm support force detection system may be configured to detachable couple a bipod, or other similar support, to a rifle’ s stock. Another embodiment of the invention may include a force detection system having a spring scale instrument positioned in line with the load path. In this preferred embodiment, as force is applied, a calibrated spring scale may be actuated and provide a manual display of the force measurement.
As used herein, the term “matching” means two interfacing components that have the same CTE, or that their CTEs are sufficiently similar to prevent thermal-induced mechanical distortion. In one preferred embodiment, a “matching” may include two interfacing components having a difference in CTE of 13.6 or less irrespective of the material used. As also used herein, the term “firearm” means any device, assembly, or apparatus that can file a projectile. Examples of a firearm can include a rifle, pistol, artillery, howitzer, mortar, cannon, shotgun, carbine, automatic rifle, bolt action rifle, and the like.
The invention now being generally described will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples, which are included merely for the purposes of illustration of certain aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. The examples are not intended to limit the invention, as one of skill in the art would recognize from the above teachings and the following examples that other techniques and methods can satisfy the claims and can be employed without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Indeed, while this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. EXAMPLES
Example 1: Reduction of Mechanical Distortion Resulting From Novel CTE Optimized Firearm
Assembly.
One embodiment of the invention may be directed to a novel firearm chassis or stock assembly. As generally shown in Figure 1, this embodiment may include a CTE optimized interface between the chassis (1) and the receiver (2), and preferably a rifle chassis and a rifle receiver. The CTE optimized interface of the invention may include a CTE optimized interface whereby the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) have the same, or approximately the same CTE. Further, in this embodiment, the CTE optimized interface between the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a first thermal environment zero-stress temperature such that the assembly is in a zero-stress state at the temperature of the first thermal environment.
In this configuration, the receiver (2) or chassis (1) assembly may be introduced to a second thermal environment such that the temperature differential between the first and second thermal environments may cause the mechanical distortion of the receiver (2) or chassis (1), such as the physical expansion or contraction of the component along one or more axes. In this specific embodiment, both the chassis (1) and receiver (2) maintain the same, or approximately the same CTE, which may allow both the receiver (2) and chassis (1) to undergo mechanical distortion in a synchronized fashion. As a result, the CTE optimized interface eliminates any mismatched mechanical distortions between the chassis (1) and receiver (2) making the firearm insensitive to thermal excursions that may result from a mismatched CTE.
In another embodiment, a rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a first thermal environment zero-stress temperature such that the assembly is in a zero-stress state at the temperature of the first thermal environment. However, in an alternative preferred embodiment, the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a heated or cooled environment that may match or approximate a second thermal environment where the firearm may be stored or operated. In this embodiment, the rifle chassis (1) and the rifle receiver (2) may be configured in a zero-stress temperature to form a zero-stress state that corresponds to the second thermal environment. When the assembly is reintroduced to a first thermal environment, for example during the manufacture of the other components of the firearm it may undergo mechanical distortion or deviate from its zero-stress state. However, when the firearm is introduced to the second thermal environment, the receiver (1) and chassis (2) assembly may revert back to its zero- stress state formed at the time of assembly. It should be noted that the use of a receiver (2) and chassis (2) are exemplary only. In certain embodiment, the invention as described above may extend to firearm assemblies including, but not limited to: receivers (2), chassis (1), scopes (15), scope mounts (16), stocks, or any interfacing firearm component.
Again, referring to Figure 1, in one preferred embodiment a rifle chassis (1) may be made of a material that has the same, or approximately the same CTE to that of the rifle receiver (2) and vice versa. In one example, the entire chassis may be constructed out of materials having the same or similar CTE as the corresponding receiver and vice versa. In yet another embodiment, a firearm chassis (1) may be configured such that a portion, and preferably the portion of the firearm chassis (2) that interfaces with a receiver (2), may be constructed out of materials having the same or similar CTE as the corresponding receiver (2) and vice versa. In each of the embodiments outlined above, the CTE optimized interface may reduce stress and mechanical deformation on the receiver as a result of a mismatched CTE when the thermal environment is different than the environment at which it was assembled.
Example 2: Novel Firearm Chassis System
The present inventors conducted a plurality of Finite Element Analyses (“FEA”) that compare different strategies for the design, manufacturing and assembly of a precision rifle system incorporating the inventive technology described herein. Here, the present inventors simulated the effects of the application of a thermal load mimicking the introduction of a rifle chassis and receiver assembly having a mismatched CTE to a second thermal environment. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the initial assembly includes a stainless-steel receiver, mounted to an aluminum chassis with aluminum or plastic fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts. The assembly is then modeled at a Thermal Condition (Temperature) of 120° F (48.9° C). A slender bar of equal length and modeled as 6061 A1 supports the assembly with a fixed support at the far end from the chassis. This effectively acts as a far-field boundary condition (i.e. it allows the analysis to solve but it will not affect the results of the analysis). As commonly designed, manufactured, and assembled using traditional practices, the receiver may be modeled as 416 Stainless Steel and the chassis is made of 6061-T6 Aluminum, having different CTEs.
As generally shown in Figures 1-3, mechanical deformation of the receiver and chassis assembly occurs at a modeled temperature of 120° F (48.9° C), which simulates a second thermal environment. Notably, the zero-stress temperature for this model assembly was assumed to be standard room temperature of71.6° F (22° C). As noted above, when a firearm, assembled at room temperature, is exposed to a higher second thermal environment, the entire assembly deforms in the Z axis due to the CTE mismatch between the receiver and the chassis. The same thermal deformation occurs when a firearm, assembled at room temperature, is exposed to a lower second thermal environment, although the deformation would occur in the opposite direction.
As further shown in Figure 3, it is also possible to examine mechanical distortion in a receiver (shown here in isolation), since this is the component that has the greatest contribution to accuracy and point-of-aim stability. In this example, the present inventors generated a similar model as described above, however the CTE property for the aluminum chassis was varied from Oppm to 23.6ppm (the actual CTE of aluminum) and the receiver deformation plotted. As shown in Figure 4, as the chassis CTE approaches 9.9ppm (the CTE of the receiver) the deformation of the receiver decreases.
Notably, the present inventors have discovered empirically that the closer the CTE of the chassis is to the CTE of the receiver, the more stable over temperature the chassis and receiver may be. By more closely matching the CTE between the receiver and chassis, even as the temperature of the firearm changes, there may be less mechanical distortion induced on the receiver and thus less deformation between interfacing components. This reduced distortion equates to improved accuracy at any temperature.
Since CTE is a functional aspect of a material, and cannot be significantly changed, other materials may be investigated that have a CTE closer ~9.9ppm. Figure 5 highlights some commonly available materials and their CTEs. Several of the different stainless steels that may be used in the construction of a firearm have CTEs that are similar to 416 Stainless Steel, but raw material pricing and machinability make their practical use limited - for example, 416 Stainless Steel is prohibitively expensive to buy or to machine competitively. This is exacerbated if the other pieces to the rifle chassis system (fore-end support, trigger guard and grip mount) must also be made from a material that matches the CTE of the receiver.
To address these limitations in traditional firearm design, an analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity of the system to the CTE of the fore-end support, trigger guard, and grip mount as shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, if the fore-end piece, trigger guard and grip mount are built from 416 Stainless Steel (as if to be cut out from a larger billet as one component or just as standalone parts), to match the receiver, then the predicted deformation as analyzed in the same manner as described above generally. Compared to traditional aluminum chassis, by more closely matching the assemblies CTEs, the inventive technology allows for a precision firearm system that is more than 7.38 times as accurate at 48.9° C.
It should be noted that additional interfaces within a firearm’s assembly may be configured to have matching CTEs. For example, various couplers, bolts or other interface components that join one or more firearm components together may be configured to have matching CTEs and may further be assembled at a desired or predicted second thermal environment to optimize the zero- stress state when the firearm is in actual operation by a user. For example, in one preferred embodiment, a scope (15), and scope mount (16) positioned on top of a receiver may be configured to have a matching CTE with a receiver, chassis or stock such that mechanical distortion that may occur from operation of the firearm may be substantially reduced or eliminated. In another preferred embodiment, a scope, and scope mount positioned on top of a receiver may further be assembled at a desired or predicted second thermal environment to optimize the zero-stress state of the scope (15) and scope mount (16) as generally shown in figures 14-18 assembly when the firearm is in actual operation by a user.
Example 3: Hybrid Firearm Components and Directional Expansion Joints.
As shown in Figures 7-11, in one preferred embodiment only the direct chassis interface to the receiver may be made from a matching or similar CTE material, such as 416 Stainless Steel, 17-4 Steel, etc. while the secondary chassis pieces, fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts may be made from aluminum, or another less expensive material. As shown in Figures 7-11, in this embodiment having a hybrid CTE chassis (3) may require the use of a thermal expansion joint, and preferably a directional expansion joint (4).
In one preferred embodiment, a firearm chassis may include a hybrid firearm chassis (3). Generally referring to Figure 7, a hybrid component, in this embodiment a hybrid chassis (3) may include a matching CTE interface (5), shown here as the upper portion of the chassis. This matching CTE interface (5) may be configured to match the CTE of one or more corresponding assembly parts, such as a receiver, or coupler configured to secure the chassis to the receiver and the like. A hybrid chassis (3) may further include a variable CTE interface (6), preferably made from a less expensive material such as aluminum that may have a different CTE than the matching CTE interface (5). As shown in Figure 7, a variable CTE interface (6) may include the lower portion of a chassis, as well as secondary components such as a trigger guard and the like. In one preferred embodiment, a hybrid chassis (3), or any hybrid firearm components such as a stock, scope mount or scope for that matter, may include one or more directional expansion joints (4). A directional expansion joint (4) may be configured to restrain mechanical distortion between portions of a hybrid chassis (3) or other components that have differential CTEs.
Referring again to Figures 7-11, in one preferred embodiment, a directional expansion joint (4) may include a variable anchor (7) coupling the variable CTE interface (6) with a support (8), which in this case is shown as a linear rod positioned parallel to the hybrid chassis (3). This support (8) may be coupled with a CTE interface anchor (9) secured to the CTE interface (5) of the chassis. In this preferred embodiment, the coupling between the support (8) and CTE interface anchor (9) may be tractable, such that thermal expansion resulting from operation of the firearm is constrained and re-directed along the X axis minimizing distortion that may negatively affect accuracy and point-of-aim stability.
In another preferred embodiment, a hybrid chassis (3), or any hybrid components for that matter, may include one or more expansion slots (10). In a preferred embodiment, an expansion slot (10) may include one or more slot position between components that may allow for expansion along a desired axis. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, an expansion slot (10) may be positioned between the trigger guard and variable CTE interface (6). In this configuration, mechanical distortion, re-directed along the X axis by one or more directional expansion joints (4), may allow the different components of an assembly having differential CTEs to expand along a desired axis where the expansion slot (10) provides a voided space to accept this expansion and prevent undesired contact between assembly components.
Example 4: Thermal Expansion Joint Assembly.
The invention may further include one or more thermal expansion joints (11) that may be used to affix one or more secondary components, such as additional chassis pieces, fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts, to a primary rifle component such as a chassis, stock, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, one or more secondary components, such as a trigger guard shown in Figure 12, may be coupled with a primary rifle component such as a chassis so as to be aligned with the rifle’s X axis (which generally aligns with the bore of the rifle). In these configurations, the secondary component may be held rigidly in the Y- or Z-axes but may be allowed to slide along the X axis with respect to the coupled primary component such as a chassis. The thermal expansion joint allows one or more secondary components to expand or contract in response to heat generated or lost from ambient conditions or from operation of the firearm that may cause the mechanical distortion of primary components such as a chassis or receiver. In a specific embodiment, a thermal expansion joint allows a secondary component such as a fore-end piece, trigger guard or grip mount to expand or contract at different rates compared to the chassis such that no added stress is placed on the chassis system due to any mechanical distortion. The thermal expansion joint of the invention further prevents stress from being introduced to a receiver that might cause bending about the Y axis and a subsequent loss in accuracy.
Again, referring to Figures 11-12, in a preferred embodiment a trigger guard, or other secondary components, may be coupled to a chassis with a plurality of thermal expansion joints (11). In this preferred embodiment, a thermal expansion joint (11) may include one or more mounting bolts (12) positioned within an aperture having a larger diameter than the mounting bolt. This configuration forms a voided space (13) as shown in the figures. The mounting bolt (12) may be further coupled with one or more washers (14), and preferably Teflon® washers that may allow sliding of the firearm components, in this case being a trigger guard within the voided space (13). In this configuration, the invention’s thermal expansion joint (11) may form a secure mount for one or more secondary components, while also allowing for thermal expansion that may occur in response to the heat generated from introduction of the firearm into a thermal environment that is different than the thermal environment present during assembly of the firearm’s components. Importantly, the invention’s thermal expansion joint provides a sliding buffer in response to mechanical distortion such that it is not passed to the chassis or receiver which may reduce overall accuracy of the firearm during operation.
Is should be noted that embodiments described herein may include a variety of firearm components that include one or more of the inventive features described above. For example, a chassis, receivers, scope mounts, scope tubes couplers and bolts, stocks, fore-end pieces, trigger guards and grip mounts may be configured to have matching CTEs or may further be configured as hybrid components having one or more thermal expansion joints as generally described herein. Example 5: Rotational Recoil Dampener. Improved Muzzle Break and Improved Suppressor.
The present inventors have developed a novel rotational recoil dampener (17) configured to be coupled with a firearm and counter the rotational recoil force generated through operation of said firearm. As generally shown in Figure 20, a rotational recoil dampener (17) may include one or more fluid tracks (18) that may be mounted to a firearm. In this preferred embodiment, the fluid track (18) may be a curved fluid filled chamber that may be positioned over, for example a firearm’s barrel or other component. The fluid track (18) may contain a quantity of a viscous fluid, such as oil that may be in fluid communication throughout the fluid track (18). Again, referring to Figure 20, in a preferred embodiment, two fluid tracks (18) may be positioned in an opposing paired fashion to more effectively dampen the rotational recoil generated from operation of the firearm. Here, the rotational recoil dampener (17) may include a coupler (22) component that may be configured to allow the rotational recoil dampener (17) to be rigidly secured to a firearm. In one embodiment, one, or a plurality of rotational recoil dampeners (17) having opposing paired fluid tracks (18) may be coupled to a firearm mount (23) which may be generally described as a firearm component that may be configured to secure a rotational recoil dampener (17).
Referring now to Figures 21-22, one or more block (20) components may be positioned within a fluid track (18) and further secured by one or more springs (19) coupled to the ends of the fluid track (18). In a preferred embodiment, a block (20) may have a defined mass, and one or more block apertures (21) allowing fluid communication of the fluid within the fluid track (18) across the block (20) component. In this configuration, operation of a firearm may cause a rotational recoil force that may cause the fluid, in this case a viscous oil, to pass through the block aperture (21) of the block (20) component transferring the rotational energy from the rotational recoil into heat. Notably, as rotational recoil is present in the operation of all firearms, and in particular those firing heavy bullets at high speed and/or high twist rates, the rotational recoil dampener (17) of the current invention may be configured to be adaptable to a variety of firearm types. In one embodiment each of the components of the rotational recoil dampener (17) may be adjusted to be optimized for a firearm having a known rotational recoil profile. For example, the viscosity of the fluid with the fluid track (18), the spring size and/or constants, the block (18) mass, and the size and shape of the block aperture (21) may be adjusted to be optimized for a firearm having a known rotational recoil profile.
The invention may include a novel and improved muzzle brake (24) configured to suppress rotational recoil generated by operation of the firearm, for example as generated by a rapidly rotating a bullet traveling down a rifled barrel. In one preferred embodiment, the muzzle brake (24) of the invention may be configured redirect high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a vector that is counter to the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel.
Generally referring to figures 27-30, in one embodiment a muzzle brake (24) may include a barrel attachment (25), such as an internally threaded position that may be securely mated with the end of a barrel thereby coupling the body (26) of the muzzle brake (24) to the firearm. In this preferred embodiment, the one or more vectored discharge channels (27) may be positioned along the length of the body (26) or the muzzle brake (24). As specifically shown in Figures 29-30, such vectored discharge channels (27) may be configured to eject the high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel. In a preferred embodiment, the escaping gasses may be directed out of the muzzle brake (24) through one or more vectored discharge channels (27) in an outward and rotational direction that is counter to the spin of the bullet leaving the barrel - which may change depending on whether the barrel of the firearm has been rifled for a right or left handed user. In this configuration, the muzzle brake (24) may reduce both the linear and rotational recoil generated by the discharge of the firearm. In another preferred embodiment, the barrel attachment (25) of the invention may be configured to position the muzzle brake (24) into a specific position such that the vectored discharge channels (27) may be orientated to eject the high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel. In further embodiments, the size, and angle of the vectored discharge channels (27) may be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of a specific type of firearm, and/or type of ammunition used.
In another embodiment of the invention, a suppressor may be configured to incorporate one or more elements of a muzzle break to reduce linear and rotational recoil. Generally referring to Figures 31-37, in one preferred embodiment, a suppressor (31) may include one or more vectored discharge channels (27) in fluid communication with a discharge passage (28). In this embodiment, the internal portion of a vectored suppressor (31) may include one or more discharge passages (28) formed by a concentric angled partition (29). In this configuration, a concentric angled partition (29) may be angled toward the barrel of the firearm and may further include an aperture to allow the bullet leaving the barrel to pass through the vectored suppressor (31) unimpeded. Such concentric angled partition (29) may be positioned in series and may be in fluid communication with one or more vectored discharge channels (27) through a discharge vent (30). In this preferred embodiment, the high-pressure, high-velocity gases exiting the barrel may be directed by a series of concentric angled partitions (29) to suppress noise and then through another series of discharge vents (30) and out of the vectored suppressor (31) through one or more corresponding vectored discharge channel (27) oriented to counter to the linear and rotational recoil of the firearm such that the escaping gasses provided a counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm as the bullet is ejected from the barrel and muzzle brake (24).
In a preferred embodiment, the escaping gasses may be directed out of the vectored suppressor (31) through one or more vectored discharge channels (27) in an outward and rotational direction that is counter to the spin of the bullet leaving the barrel - which may change depending on whether the barrel of the firearm has been rifled for right twist or left twist. In this configuration, the vectored suppressor (31) may suppress not only the sound emitted from discharge of the firearm, but both the linear and rotational recoil also generated by discharge of the firearm. Example 6: Force Detection System
The present inventors have developed a novel force detection system (32) configured to detect, measure, transmit and display a force measurement applied to a component of a firearm by a user. In one preferred embodiment, the inventive technology may include a force detection system (32) configured to detect, measure, transmit, and display a force measurement applied to the rear of a buttstock by, for example a user’s shoulder, as would occur when a shooter is in a standard firing position.
Generally referring to Figure 38, a force detection system (32) may include a force sensor positioned between a firearm’s buttstock (38) and a chassis and receiver assembly (39). In this embodiment, a load may be applied to the rear of the buttstock by a shooter’s shoulder which is transmitted to a force sensor coupled to the proximal end of the buttstock (38) and joined with the chassis and receiver assembly (39). The load applied to the rear or distal end of the buttstock may be detected by the force sensor and processed as generally described below. As further shown in Figures 40-42, in another preferred embodiment a force detection system (32) may include one or more load cells (34) configured to measure and process a force applied to a firearm’s buttstock (38) by a user. As specifically shown in Figure 3, a load cell (34) may be secured to a firearm by a mounting pad (33) positioned within a housing (42) which may further be secured to a chassis and receiver assembly (39).
As further shown in Figure 40, in this embodiment a buttstock (38) may be coupled with a rigidly secured outer hinge (36) component that further holds a tractable inner hinge (35) component secured to the proximal end of the buttstock (38). As highlighted in Figure 41, the outer hinge (36) component may include an aperture position that may allow a post (41) element to pass through. In this embodiment, the post (41) may be integral with the inner hinge (35) component or may be separately secured and adjustable to allow calibration of the distance between the load cell (34) and post (41). Again, referring to Figures 41-42, in this embodiment the post (41) may be responsive to a force load applied to the buttstock (38) such that it may engage with the load cell (34) activating it.
As noted above, the measurement of a shooter’s force load input is complicated by the fact that it must generally be in-line with the load path, meaning the load cell (34) optimally would be measuring the entirety of the load applied to the rifle. The sensor, in this case a load cell (34), must have a path to the force load input at the buttstock that is more rigid than alternate load paths that could bypass the sensor. To overcome this limitation, as shown in Figures 40-42, a complaint gasket (37) may be placed between the outer hinge (36) and the chassis and receiver assembly (39) it is connected to. In this embodiment, a complaint gasket (37) may be made of a material that is less pliant than that of the load cell (34). In this configuration, the complaint gasket (37) may be axially soft and stiff in every axis such that it directs the force load to go through the rigid load cell (34) where it can accurately be measured and subsequently processed.
In another embodiment, a force load detection system (32) may be configured to detect and display a force input from one or more firearm components. For example, in one preferred embodiment, a firearm, and preferably a rifle may be configured to be coupled with bipod, tripod or other structure design to support a rifle during operation. In certain embodiments such a bipod or other device may be coupled with the barrel of the rifle, or preferably the stock of the rifle. Similar to the force load detection system (32) described above for use with a rifle’s buttstock, a force load detection system (32) may be incorporated into a bipod or other structure design to support a rifle during operation, which in other embodiments, a force load detection system (32) may include a supplementary components that may be configured to be secures to a rifle, and preferably the stock of a rifle and an exemplary support device, such as a bipod. In both of the above embodiment, a load cell (34) may be secured to a mounting pad (33) and positioned such that a load force applied to the rifle may cause a post (41) element to engage the load cell (34) and generate a display of the force measurement as generally described below.
Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 40, in the force load input must generally be in-line with the load path, meaning the load cell (34) optimally would be measuring the entirety of the load applied to the rifle. The sensor, in this case a load cell (34), must have a path to the force load input interface of the bipod that is more rigid than alternate load paths that could bypass the sensor. To overcome this limitation, as described above and shown in Figures 40-42, a complaint gasket (37) may be placed between an outer hinge (36) or other equivalent components and the bipod assembly it is connected to. In this embodiment, a complaint gasket (37) may be made of a material that is less pliant than that of the load cell (34). In this configuration, the complaint gasket (37) may be axially soft and stiff in every axis such that it directs the force load to go through the rigid load cell (34) where it can accurately be measured and subsequently processed.
Another embodiment of the invention may include the collection and real-time display of force measurements. In one preferred embodiment, a force measurement may be taken and transmitted to a display such as a series of LED lights, fiber optics, an LCD panel, or the like. Additional embodiments may include a modular and/or integrated system incorporated into a heads up display that may present the force measurement display through a rifle scope. In yet another preferred embodiment, a force measurement may be taken and transmitted to another device such as a cell phone or tablet for review of consistency as a training aid. Another embodiment of the invention may include a continuous force adjustment display system. In this preferred embodiment, a force measurement may be taken and transmitted to a display having a pre-configured range of optimal force. When the force measurement is within the optimal range a display feedback may be presented to a shooter to let them know that the firearm is in the optimal position to fire. If, on the other hand the force measurement is outside the pre-configured range of optimal force, a display feedback may be presented to a shooter to let them know that the firearm is not within the optimal position to fire and that the force being applied to the firearm needs to be adjusted.
In one specific embodiment, a user may connect to the force detection system of the invention via a phone app and set a desired pressure or force to be applied to the firearm, and preferably to the buttstock. The user can then apply a load to the buttstock which is measured by the force detection system of the invention. When sufficient load has been applied a display feedback, such as a LED may light up. In this embodiment, a user can also set an over-force4imit such that if too much force is applied, a different LED will light up. Another embodiment of the invention may include a force detection system circuit having an electronic transducer that measures force, pressure or similar effect and converts the applied input into a voltage that can be processed by an electrical circuit and shown back to the user as a display feedback.
TABLE 1 - Evaluation of Rotational Recil Damener
%Find torque and energy in bullet and gun during rotational recoil clc clear close all %%
%vars barrelMass = 4;%kg barrelRadius = 0.0254;%m chassisMass = 2.4;%kg chassisRadius = .04;%m scopeMass = 4;%kg scopeOffset = l;%m
Figure imgf000050_0001
bulletAccTime = 0.0015;%s est. barrelLength = 0.6;%m caliber = 00782;%m %%
%Firearm Properties %gunMass = 8.6;%kg *est gunMass = barrelMass + chassisMass + scopeMass;%kg *est bulletMass = bulletMassGrains*6.47989* 10A-5;%kg powderMass = powderMassGrains*6.47989* 10A-5;%kg %gunMomentInertia = 0.0155;%kg*mA2 *est gunMomentlnertia = 0.5*barrelMass*barrelRadiusA2 + chassisMass*chassisRadiusA2;% + scopeMass* scopeOffsetA2;%kg*mA2 *est
%converted vars startTwistRate = (1 /startTwistRatelmp) *(2*pi/0.0254);%rad/m endTwistRate = (1 /endTwistRatelmp) *(2*pi/0.0254);%rad/m
%% %Primary Time Domain start_time = 0; time_step = 0.00001; end time = .3; firearmTimeDomain(:, 1) = start_time:time_step:end_time;
%%
% Velocity Curve timelnBarrel = 0:time_step:bulletAccTime;%s velocity time domain %velocity curve derived from cubic regression of curve from quickload sim velocityCurve = [-6.490696427* 10. 1427010535*timeInBarrel.A2 - 106836.5836*timeInBarrel + 2.1];%s:m/
Figure imgf000051_0001
%curve fit velocityCurve_Domain = 0:.0001:.0015; velocityCurve Range = [0, 32, 97,210,419, 710, 1032,1422,1710, 2032, 2227, 2443, 2598, 2722,2814,2892]; n = 3; fitVals = polyfit(velocityCurve_Domain,velocityCurve_Range, n); velocityCurve fit = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); forj = l:length(firearmTimeDomain) for e = 2:n+l velocityCurve_fit(j, 1) = velocityCurve_fit(j, 1) + (firearmTimeDomain(j,l)A(e- l))*fitVals(n+2-e); end if(velocityCurve_fit(j, 1) < 0) velocityCurve_fit(j, 1) = 0; end end velocityCurve_fit(:, 1) = velocityCurve_fit(:, l).*0.3048;%m/s [M, max_index] = max(velocityCurve_fit); timelnBarrel = 0:time_step:firearmTimeDomain(max_index);%s velocity time domain
%{ figure; scatter(velocityCurve_Domain,velocityCurve_Range. *0.3048); hold on; plot(firearmTimeDomain, velocityCurve fit);
%}
%%
%Pressure Curve pressureCurve_Domain = 0:.0001:.0015; pressureCurve Range = [3947, 7369, 14210,24210, 39195,51613, 57979,57979,51596, 43085, 34574, 28192, 22872, 17222,15946,13784]; n = 4; fitVals = polyfit(pressureCurve_Domain,pressureCurve_Range, n); pressureCurve fit = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); forj = l:length(firearmTimeDomain) for e = l:n+l pressureCurve_fit(j, 1) = pressureCurve_fit(j, 1) + (firearmTimeDomain(j,l)A(e- l))*fitVals(n+2-e); end end pressureCurve_fit(:, 1) = pressureCurve_fit(:, l).*6894.76;%Pa chamber pressure = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); chamber pressurefl :max_index) = pressureCurve_fit(l:max_index); chamber_pressure(max_index:end) = pressureCurve fit(max index);
%{ figure; scatter(pressureCurve_Domain,pressureCurve_Range. *6894.76); hold on; plot(firearmTimeDomain, pressureCurve fit);
%}
%%
%Kinematic Calculations Bullet %Bullet Linear Velocity bullet velocity linear = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); bullet_velocity_linear(l :length(timeInBarrel)) = velocityCurve_fit(l:length(timeInBarrel));%s:m/s bullet_velocity_linear(length(timeInBarrel):end) = max(velocityCurve fit);
%Bullet Linear Acceleration bullet acceleration linear = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); forj = Llength(firearmTimeDomain)-l bullet_acceleration_linear(j) = (bullet_velocity_linear(j+l)- bullet_velocity_linear(j))/time_step;
%{ if bullet_acceleration_linear(j) < 0 bullet_acceleration_linear(j) = 0; end
%} end
%Bullet Linear Position bullet jDOsition linear = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); bullet_position_linear(l) = bullet_velocity_linear(l)*time_step; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) bullet _position_linear(i) = bullet_position_linear(i-l ) + bullet_velocity_linear(i)*time_step; end
%Bullet Angular Velocity bullet velocity angular = [(((endTwistRate- startTwistRate)/max(bulletj30sition_linear)).*bulletj30sition_linear+startTwistRate).*bullet_vel ocity linear];
%Bullet Anglular Acceleration bullet acceleration angular = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); forj = l:length(firearmTimeDomain)-l bullet_acceleration_angular(j) = (bullet_velocity_angular(j+l)- bullet_velocity_angular(j))/time_step; if bullet_acceleration_angular(j) < 0 bullet_acceleration_angular(j) = 0; end end
%Bullet Angular Position bullet jDOsition angular = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); bullet j30sition_angular( 1 ) = bullet_velocity_angular( 1 )*time_step; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) bullet jDosition angular(i) = bullet jDosition angular(i-l) + bullet_velocity_angular(i)*time_step; end
%%
% Thrust
%with angular muzzlebreak %Constants gamma = 1.3;% specific heat ratio: estimate based on co2 and nitrogren
R gas = 8.3145;%J/mol*K
P ambient = 0;%101325;%Pa
A_inlet_bore = (caliber/2)A2*pi;%mA2
A_exit_bore = (caliber/2)A2*pi;%mA2 mach exit = 1 ;
Figure imgf000053_0001
tangent position = 6;%m max_volume_chamber = (caliber/2)A2*pi*barrelLength; volume chamber = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); volume_chamber(l :max_index) = (caliber/2)A2*pi*bullet_position_linear( 1 :max_index);%mA3 volume_chamber(max_index:end) = (caliber/2)A2*pi*barrelLength;%mA3
T exit initial = 2987.26;%K
P exit initial = pressureCurve_fit(length(timeInBarrel));%Pa
Mass initial = (P_exit_initial*max_volume_chamber*molarMass_Gas)/(T_exit_initial*R_gas); m dot = 0; mass out = 0;
P exit = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); gun thrust linear = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); gun thrust angular = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1);
A_inlet_tot = A_inlet_bore + A_inlet_tangent;
A exit tot = A_exit_bore + A exit tangent; for i = l:length(firearmTimeDomain)
T exit = T exit initial;
P_exit(i) = 0; i f(bul 1 et posi ti on_l i near(i )>tangent_posi ti on && i>max_index) mass out = mass out + time_step*m_dot;
P_exit(i) = (Mass_initial-mass_out)*T_exit*R_gas/(molarMass_Gas*volume_chamber(i)); m_dot = A_inlet_tot*P_exit(i)*sqrt(gamma/(R_gas*T_exit))*((gamma+l)/2)A(-
1 *(gamma+l)/(2*gamma-2));%kg/s V exit = mach_exit*sqrt(gamma*R_gas*T_exit); gun_thrust_angular(i) = ((m_dot*V_exit)*(A_inlet_tangent/A_inlet_tot)+(P_exit(i)- P_ambient)*A_exit_tangent)*tangent_radius; gun_thrust_linear(i) = (m_dot*V_exit)*(A_inlet_bore/A_inlet_tot)+(P_exit(i)-
P amb ient)* A exi t_b ore ; el sei f(bul 1 et posi ti on_l i near(i )>tangent_posi ti on ) mass out = mass out + time_step*m_dot;
P_exit(i) = (Mass_initial-mass_out)*T_exit*R_gas/(molarMass_Gas*volume_chamber(i)); m_dot = A_inlet_tangent*P_exit(i)*sqrt(gamma/(R_gas*T_exit))*((gamma+l)/2)A(- 1 *(gamma+l)/(2*gamma-2));%kg/s V exit = mach_exit*sqrt(gamma*R_gas*T_exit); gun thrust angular(i) = ((m_dot*V_exit)+(P_exit(i)-
P_ambient)*A_exit_tangent)*tangent_radius; elseif(i>max_index) mass out = mass out + time_step*m_dot;
P_exit(i) = (Mass_initial-mass_out)*T_exit*R_gas/(molarMass_Gas*volume_chamber(i)); m_dot = A_inlet_bore*P_exit(i)*sqrt(gamma/(R_gas*T_exit))*((gamma+l)/2)A(- 1 *(gamma+l)/(2*gamma-2));%kg/s V exit = mach_exit*sqrt(gamma*R_gas*T_exit); gun thrust linear(i) = (m_dot*V_exit)+(P_exit(i)-P_ambient)*A_exit_bore; end if P_exit(i) > 0 chamber_pressure(i) = P_exit(i); end end
%{ figure; plot(firearmTimeDomain(:,l),gun_thrust_angular);
%}
%%
%Kinematic Calculations Gun %Bullet/Gun Torque torque = bullet_acceleration_angular*bulletMomentInertia - gun thrust angular; %Bullet/Gun Force force = bullet_acceleration_linear*bulletMass + gun thrust linear;
%Gun Linear Acceleration gun_acceleration_linear = force/gunMass;
%Gun Linear Velocity gun velocity linear = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); gun velocity linear(l) = gun_acceleration_linear(l)*time_step; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) gun velocity linear(i) = gun velocity linear(i-l) + gun_acceleration_linear(i)*time_step; end
%Gun Linear Position gun positionj inear = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); gun_position_linear( 1 ) = gun_velocity_linear(l)*time_step; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) gun posi ti on_l i near(i ) = gun_position_linear(i-l ) + gun_velocity_linear(i)*time_step; end
%Gun Angular Accel eratati on gun acceleration angular = torque/gunMomentlnertia;
%Gun Angular Velocity gun vel ocity angul ar = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); gun velocity angul ar(l) = gun_acceleration_angular(l)*time_step; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) gun velocity angular(i) = gun velocity angular(i-l) + gun_acceleration_angular(i)*time_step; end
%Gun Angular Position gun_position_angular = zeros(length(firearmTimeDomain), 1); gun_position_angular(l) = gun_velocity_angular(l)*time_step; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) gun posi ti on angul ar(i ) = gun_position_angular(i- l ) + gun_velocity_angular(i)*time_step; end
%%
%Damping
%Constants k_evironment = 3000; k_linear = 6000; damping coeff linear = 100; damping coeff angular = 18; reaction torque radius = 0.05; rest_angular_accel = 10;%rad/s/s angul ar zero = 0; chamber_pressure_threshold = 10L8; for i = 2:length(firearmTimeDomain) if i > max index && force(i) < 50 reaction spring force = gun_position_linear(i-l)*k_linear; force(i) = force(i) - reaction spring force - damping_coeff_linear*gun_velocity_linear(i-l); end if i > max index && chamber_pressure(i) < chamber pressure threshold && firearmTimeDomain(i) > 0.1 reaction spring torque = (gun_position_angular(i- 1 ) angul ar zer o) * 2 * re acti on tor que radiu s * k evi ronm ent ; torque(i) = torque(i) - reaction spring torque - gun_velocity_angular(i- 1 ) * 2 * reach on_torque_radiusA2 * damping coeff angul ar ; else angular zero = gun position angular(i); end
%Gun Linear Acceleration gun_acceleration_linear(i) = force(i)/gunMass;
%Gun Linear Velocity gun velocity linear(i) = gun velocity linear(i-l) + gun_acceleration_linear(i)*time_step;
%Gun Linear Position gun posi ti on_l i near(i ) = gun_position_linear(i-l ) + gun_velocity_linear(i)*time_step;
%Gun Angular Accel eratati on gun acceleration angular = torque/gunMomentlnertia;
%Gun Angular Velocity gun velocity angular(i) = gun velocity angular(i-l) + gun_acceleration_angular(i)*time_step; %Gun Angular Position gun posi ti on angul ar(i ) = gun_position_angular(i- 1 ) + gun_velocity_angular(i)*time_step; end
%%
%Plot figure; sgtitle("Overall Firearm Dynamics (with ASA Muzzle Thruster, t = 0 - 0.3 s)"); subplot(3, 5, 1); plot(firearmTimeDomain,bullet_positionJinear ); title("Bullet Linear Position"); subplot(3, 5, 6); plot(firearmTimeDomain,bullet_velocity linear ); title("Bullet Linear Velocity"); subplot(3, 5, 11); plot(firearmTimeDomain, bullet acceleration linear); title("Bullet Linear Acceleration"); subplot(3, 5, 2); plot(firearmTimeDomain,bullet_position_angular ); title("Bullet Angular Position"); subplot(3, 5, 7); plot(firearmTimeDomain,bullet_velocity angular ); title("Bullet Angular Velocity"); subplot(3, 5, 12); plot(firearmTimeDomain, bullet acceleration angular ); title("Bullet Angular Acceleration"); subplot(3, 5, 3); plot(firearmTimeDomain, gun posi ti onj i near ); title("Gun Linear Position"); subplot(3, 5, 8); plot(firearmTimeDomain, gun velocity linear ); title("Gun Linear Velocity"); subplot(3, 5, 13); plot(firearmTimeDomain, gun acceleration linear ); title("Gun Linear Acceleration"); subplot(3, 5, 4); plot(firearmTimeDomain, gun posi ti on angul ar); title("Gun Angular Position"); subplot(3, 5, 9); plot(firearmTimeDomain, gun velocity angular); title("Gun Angular Velocity"); subplot(3, 5, 14); plot(firearmTimeDomain, gun acceleration angular); title("Gun Angular Acceleration"); subplot(3, 5, 5); plot(firearmTimeDomain, force); title("Force"); subplot(3, 5, 10); plot(firearmTimeDomain, torque); title("Torque"); subplot(3, 5, 15); plot(firearmTimeDomain, chamber pressure); title("Pressure");

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A method of reducing mechanical distortion in a firearm comprising:
- assembling a firearm having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched firearm; and
- introducing said CTE matched firearm to a thermal environment causing said interfacing components to undergo coordinated thermal expansion (CTX).
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said matching CTE comprise interfacing components having a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said interfacing components comprise a receiver and a chassis having matching CTEs.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and a grip mount.
5. The method of claims 1 and 3 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing accuracy.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing repeatability.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased resistance to thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
9. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said CTE matched firearm at a first thermal environment forming a zero- state CTE matched firearm; and - operating said a zero-state CTE matched firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
14. The method of claim 9 and further comprising the step of reassembling said zero-state CTE matched firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
15. The method of claim 14 and further comprising operating said zero-state assembly for said firearm at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
16. The firearm of claim 1 wherein said thermal environment comprises a thermal environment caused by firing said firearm.
17. An improved firearm assembly comprising:
- a firearm having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched firearm; and
- wherein said interfacing components of said CTE matched firearm undergo coordinated thermal expansion (CTX) when exposed to a thermal condition.
18. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said matching CTE comprise interfacing components having a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
19. The firearm of claim 18 wherein said interfacing components comprise a receiver and a chassis having matching CTEs.
20. The firearm of claims 17 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, and a grip mount.
21. The firearm of claims 17 and 19-20 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
22. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing accuracy.
23. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased firing repeatability.
24. The firearm of claim 17 wherein said firearm having undergone CTX has increased resistance to thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
25. The firearm of claim 17 and further comprising:
- said CTE matched firearm is assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero- state CTE matched firearm; and
- wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
26. The firearm of claim 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
27. The firearm of claim 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
28. The firearm of claim 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
29. The firearm of claim 25 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
30. The firearm of claim 25 and further comprising wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm is assembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
31. The firearm of claim 30 and further comprising wherein said zero-state assembly for said firearm is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
32. The firearm of claim 25 wherein said thermal condition comprises a thermal condition generated by firing said firearm.
33. A method of reducing thermal-induced mechanical distortion in a firearm assembly comprising:
- assembling a firearm having one or more interfacing components at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing components of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state CTE matched firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE matched firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
36. The method of claim 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
37. The method of claim 33 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
38. The method of claim 33 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
39. The method of claims 33 and 38 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
40. The method of claim 33 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing accuracy.
41. The method of claim 33 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing repeatability.
42. The method of claim 33 wherein said interfacing components are coupled with one or more thermal expansion joints.
43. The method of claim 33 and further comprising the step of reassembling said firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
44. The method of claim 43 and further comprising operating said zero-state assembly for said firearm at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
45. The method of claim 33 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
46. A firearm assembly comprising:
- a firearm having one or more interfacing components assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing components of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state CTE matched firearm; and
- wherein said a zero-state CTE matched firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE matched firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
47. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments above room temperature.
48. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 20° C and 75° C.
49. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise thermal environments below room temperature.
50. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said first and said second thermal environments comprise a thermal environment between 19.9 ° C and - 40 ° C.
51. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said interfacing components comprise interfacing components selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
52. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said interfacing components have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
53. The firearm of claims 46 and 52 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
54. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing accuracy.
55. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm has increased firing repeatability.
56. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said interfacing components are coupled with one or more thermal expansion joints.
57. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said zero-state CTE matched firearm is reassembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
58. The firearm of claim 57 wherein said zero-state assembly for said firearm is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
59. The firearm of claim 46 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
60. A method of reducing thermal-induced mechanical distortion in a firearm assembly comprising:
- assembling a firearm having an interfacing chassis and receiver at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said interfacing chassis and receiver, wherein said interfacing chassis and receiver of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly; and
- operating said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
61. The method of claim 60 wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver assembly comprises hybrid a chassis and receiver component.
62. The method of claim 60 and further comprising the step of reassembling said interfacing chassis and receiver at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm.
63. The method of claim 62 and further comprising operating said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
64. The method of claim 60 wherein said chassis and receiver assembly comprises a chassis and receiver assembly for a bolt-action rifle.
65. The method of claim 60 wherein said chassis and receiver have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
66. The method of claims 60 and 65 wherein said chassis and receiver are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
67. A firearm assembly comprising:
- a firearm having an interfacing chassis and receiver assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state interfacing chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm, wherein said interfacing chassis and receiver of said firearm include matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly; and
- wherein said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state chassis and receiver resists thermal- induced mechanical distortion.
68. The firearm of claim 67 wherein said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is reassembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state chassis and receiver assembly for said firearm.
69. The firearm of claim 68 wherein said firearm having a zero-state chassis and receiver is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
70. The firearm of claim 67 wherein said chassis and receiver assembly comprises a chassis and receiver assembly for a bolt-action rifle.
71. The firearm of claim 67 wherein said chassis and receiver have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
72. The firearm of claims 67 and 71 wherein said chassis and receiver are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same wherein the components have difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
73. A method of reducing mechanical distortion in a firearm comprising:
- assembling a firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component, wherein said hybrid interfacing component includes:
- a matching CTE interface configured to interface with a second component having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and
- a variable CTE interface having a mismatched CTE as compared to said second component; - coupling said matching CTE interface and said variable CTE interface with a directional expansion joint configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of said hybrid interfacing component.
74. The method of claim 73 wherein said matching CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
75. The method of claim 73 wherein said variable CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of more than 13.6ppm.
76. The method of claim 73 wherein said hybrid interfacing component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
77. The method of claim 73 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated, in part or in whole, from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same..
78. The method of claim 73 wherein said directional expansion joint comprises:
- at least one variable anchor coupled to said variable CTE interface and responsive to a tractable support coupled to said matching CTE interface by a tractable CTE interface anchor; and
- wherein said directional expansion joint is configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of the firearm components along the X-axis of the expansion joint.
79. The method of claim 73 and further comprising the step of establishing one or more expansion slots positioned between firearm components configured to allow expansion along a pre determined axis.
80. The method of claim 73 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
81. The method of claim 80 and further comprising the step of reassembling said CTE hybrid firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
82. The method of claim 81 and further comprising operating said firearm having a zero-state assembly at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
83. A firearm comprising:
- a firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component, wherein said hybrid interfacing component includes:
- a matching CTE interface configured to interface with a second component having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and
- a variable CTE interface having a mismatched CTE as compared to said second component;
- wherein said matching CTE interface and said variable CTE interface are coupled with one or more directional expansion joints configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of said hybrid interfacing component.
84. The firearm of claim 83 wherein said matching CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
85. The firearm of claim 83 wherein said variable CTE interface and said second component have a difference in CTE of more than 13.6ppm.
86. The firearm of claim 83 wherein said hybrid interfacing component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, a receiver, a stock, a scope mount, a scope tube, a barrel, a barrel guard, a trigger guard, a folding hinge, a fore-end piece, a bolt, a screw, a coupler, and a grip mount.
87. The firearm of claim 83 wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, steel alloy, precipitation hardened steel, 4130 steel; 4140 steel; 4150 steel, 416 steel, 17-4 steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum, titanium, titanium grade 5, titanium Ti-6A1-4V, titanium alloy, wood, composite material, carbon fiber composite, or a combination of the same..
88. The firearm of claim 83 wherein said directional expansion joint comprises:
- at least one variable anchor coupled to said variable CTE interface and responsive to a tractable support coupled to said matching CTE interface by a tractable CTE interface anchor; - wherein said directional expansion joint is configured to constrain and re-direct thermal expansion resulting from the mismatched thermal expansion of the firearm components along the X-axis of the expansion joint.
89. The firearm of claim 83 and further comprising one or more expansion slots positioned between firearm components configured to allow expansion along a pre-determined axis.
90. The firearm of claim 83 and further comprising:
- wherein said firearm having at least one hybrid interfacing component is assembled at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm; and
- wherein said a zero-state CTE hybrid firearm is operated at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
91. The firearm of claim 90 wherein said firearm is reassembled at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
92. The firearm of claim 91 wherein said zero-state assembly for said firearm is operated at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
93. A thermal expansion joint device for a firearm comprising:
- a mounting bolt positioned within an aperture of a secondary firearm component having a larger diameter than said mounting bolt;
- one or more washers positioned around said mounting bolt;
- wherein said mounting bolt is coupling said secondary firearm component to a primary firearm component and is further configured to allow said secondary firearm component to slide within a voided space along a pre-determined axis.
94. The device of claim 93 wherein said secondary component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis accessory piece; a receiver, a scope, a scope mount, a fore-end piece, a trigger guard; and a grip mount.
95. The device of claim 93 wherein said primary component is selected from the group consisting of: a chassis, and a stock.
96. The device of claim 93 wherein said pre-determined axis comprises the X-axis in-line with the barrel of said firearm.
97. The method of claim 93 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said firearm having at least one thermal expansion joint at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state firearm; and
- operating said a zero-state firearm at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said zero-state firearm resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
98. The method of claim 97 and further comprising the step of reassembling said firearm at a third thermal environment forming a zero-state assembly for said firearm.
99. The method of claim 98 and further comprising operating said zero-state assembly for said firearm at a fourth thermal environment, wherein said fourth thermal environment is the same as said third thermal environment.
100. A method of increasing the accuracy of a firearm of any claim above or below comprising thermocycling said firearm assembly prior to operation.
101. The method of claim 100 wherein said step of thermocycling a firearm comprises heating said firearm assembly prior to operation:
- from room temperature to at least 50° C; or
- between 25° C to 50° C; or
- greater than 25° C; or
- greater than 50° C. wherein in said heating to allows all joints and mechanical interfaces of said firearm to settle.
102. A method of reducing mechanical distortion in an optical device comprising:
- assembling an optical device having one or more interfacing components wherein said interfacing components are fabricated from materials having matching coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) forming a CTE matched optical device; and
- introducing said CTE matched optical device to a thermal environment causing said interfacing components to undergo coordinated thermal expansion (CTX).
103. The method of claim 102 wherein said optical device comprises an optical device selected from the group consisting of: an optical survey device, a scope, a telescope, an optical communications device, a sight, an optical targeting device, or a mount for the same.
104. The firearm of claim 102 wherein said interfacing components have a difference in CTE of at least 13.6ppm or less.
105. The method of claim 102 and further comprising the step of:
- assembling said optical device having at least one -interfacing component at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE optical device; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE optical device at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE optical device resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
106. The method of claim 102 and further comprising the steps of:
- assembling said optical device having at least one hybrid interfacing component at a first thermal environment forming a zero-state CTE hybrid optical device; and
- operating said a zero-state CTE hybrid optical device at a second thermal environment, wherein said second thermal environment is the same as said first thermal environment, and wherein said CTE hybrid optical device resists thermal-induced mechanical distortion.
107. The method of claim 102 wherein said interfacing components comprise hybrid interfacing components.
108. The method of claim 107 wherein said hybrid interfacing components are coupled with one or more directional expansion joints.
109. A rotational recoil dampener device comprising:
- a fluid track configured to be coupled to the barrel of a firearm;
- a quantity of viscous fluid situated within said fluid track;
- a block positioned within said fluid track having an aperture allowing fluid communication of said viscous fluid within said fluid track;
- at least one spring secured to the ends of the fluid track and securing said block; and
- wherein a rotational recoil force generated by operation of the firearm causes said viscous fluid to pass through said block aperture of said block component converting the rotational energy from said rotational recoil force into heat.
110. The device of claim 109 wherein the fluid track is configured to be positioned around the barrel of a firearm.
111. The device of claim 110 wherein the fluid track comprises a plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
112. The device of claim 111 and further comprising at least one coupler configured to secure said plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
113. The device of claim 111 and further comprising a firearm mount configured to secure said plurality of opposing fluid tracks configured to be positioned in around the barrel of a firearm.
114. The device of claims 112-113 wherein said coupler is configured to be secured to a firearm mount.
115. The device of claim 109 wherein said viscous fluid comprises oil.
116. The device of claim 115 wherein said oil is calibrated to increase or decrease viscosity.
117. The device of claim 109 wherein said spring is calibrated by adjusting its size, spring constant, or mass.
118. The device of claim 109 wherein said block is calibrated by adjusting its size, mass, or shape and/or size of said block aperture.
119. The device of claim 109 wherein said block positioned within said fluid track comprise a block positioned at the midpoint of said fluid track.
120. The device of claim 109 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
121. A method of dampening rotational recoil comprising:
- establishing a fluid track having:
- a quantity of viscous fluid situated within said fluid track;
- a block positioned within said fluid track having an aperture allowing fluid communication of said viscous fluid within said fluid track;
- at least one spring secured to the ends of the fluid track and securing said block;
- coupling said fluid track to the barrel of a firearm;
- generating a rotational recoil force by operation of said firearm;
- converting the rotational energy from said rotational recoil force into heat by causing said viscous fluid to pass through said block aperture of said block component in response to said rotational recoil force.
122. The method of claim 121 wherein said step of coupling said fluid track to the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of positioning said fluid track around the barrel of a firearm.
123. The method of claim 122 wherein said step of positioning said fluid track around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm.
124. The method of claim 122 wherein said step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm with a coupler.
125. The method of claim 122 wherein said step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm comprises the step of coupling a plurality of opposing fluid tracks around the barrel of a firearm with a coupler with a firearm mount.
126. The method of claims 124-125 wherein said coupler is configured to be secured to a firearm mount.
127. The method of claim 121 wherein said viscous fluid comprises oil.
128. The method of claim 121 and further comprising the step of calibrating the viscosity of said oil to increase or decrease viscosity.
129. The method of claim 121 and further comprising the step of calibrating said spring by adjusting its size, spring constant, or mass.
130. The method of claim 121 and further comprising the step of calibrating said block by adjusting its size, mass, or shape and/or size of said block aperture.
131. The method of claim 121 wherein said block positioned within said fluid track comprise a block positioned at the midpoint of said fluid track.
132. The method of claim 121 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
133. A muzzle break device configured to dampen rotational recoil comprising:
- a muzzle break having a body and a barrel attachment;
- a barrel of a firearm configured to be coupled with said barrel attachment;
- one or more vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break;
- wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels are configured to eject high-pressure and high-velocity gases exiting said barrel in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm countering the rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
134. The device of claim 133 wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels comprises a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break.
135. The device of claim 134 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
136. The device of claim 133 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
137. The device of claim 133 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
138. The device of claim 133 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
139. A method dampening rotational recoil of a firearm comprising:
- coupling a muzzle break having a body and a barrel attachment with the barrel of a firearm wherein said muzzle break has one or more vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break;
- discharging said firearm; and
- directing high-pressure and high-velocity gases exiting said barrel through said one or more vectored discharge channels in a vector that is counter to the rotational recoil of the firearm countering the rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
140. The method of claim 139 wherein said one or more vectored discharge channels comprises a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break.
141. The method of claim 140 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
142. The method of claim 139 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
143. The method of claim 139 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
144. The method of claim 139 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
145. A firearm suppressor device comprising:
- a vectored suppressor having:
- a body and a barrel attachment;
- a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said vectored suppressor;
- a vectored discharge passage in fluid communication with said plurality of vectored discharge channels wherein said vectored discharge passage is formed by a series of concentric angled partitions; and
- a plurality of discharge vents in fluid communication which are in fluid communication with said series of concentric angled partitions;
- wherein high-pressure and high-velocity gases are directed to said series of concentric angled partitions suppressing the noise of a bullet being ejected from said barrel; and
- wherein said vectored discharge channels are configured eject high-pressure and high- velocity gases transmitted from said plurality of discharge vents, the channels being configured to counter the linear and rotational recoil generated by said bullet being ejected from said barrel.
146. The device of claim 145 wherein each of said concentric angled partitions is in fluid communication with at least one vectored discharge channel.
147. The device of claim 145 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
148. The device of claim 145 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
149. The device of claim 145 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
150. The device of claim 145 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
151. A method of suppressing a firearm comprising:
- coupling a vectored suppressor having a plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the length of the suppressor’s body to the barrel of a firearm through a barrel attachment;
- discharging said firearm wherein a bullet travels through a vectored discharge passage formed by a series of concentric angled partitions; and
- directing a first quantity of high-pressure and high-velocity gases to said series of concentric angled partitions suppressing the noise of a bullet being ejected from said barrel; and
- directing a second quantity high-pressure and high-velocity gases from said series of concentric angled partitions through a plurality of discharge vents in fluid communication with vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said vectored suppressor configured to counter to linear and rotational recoil generated by said bullet being ejected from said barrel
152. The method of claim 151 wherein each of said concentric angled partitions is in fluid communication with at least one vectored discharge channel.
153. The method of claim 151 wherein said plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break are position to counter rotational recoil generated by the spin of a bullet wherein said barrel has been rifled for a right or left handed user.
154. The method of claim 151 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil of the generated by the spin of a bullet as it is ejected from said barrel.
155. The method of claim 151 wherein said size and angle of the plurality of vectored discharge channels positioned along the body of said muzzle break can be adjusted to match the rotational recoil based on the type of said firearm and/or ammunition used.
156. The method of claim 151 wherein the firearm comprise a bolt action rifle.
157. A force detection system comprising:
- a firearm assembly having:
- a buttstock;
- a receiver assembly;
- a rigid outer hinge coupled with the proximal end of said buttstock;
- a tractable inner hinge positioned within said rigid outer hinge and responsive to a said buttstock; - a force sensor positioned between said buttstock and said receiver assembly and responsive to said tractable inner hinge; and
- a complaint gasket positioned between said rigid outer hinge and said receiver assembly;
- wherein a force load applied to said buttstock is transmitted through said tractable inner hinge which further transmits said force load to said force sensor.
158. The system of claim 157 wherein said force sensor comprises a load cell.
159. The system of claim 158 wherein said a tractable inner hinge is responsive to said force sensor by a post.
160. The system of claim 158 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to the distal end of said buttstock.
161. The system of claim 158 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to the firearm is in-line with said load cell.
162. The system of claim 158 wherein said load cell is secured to a mounting pad.
163. The system of claim 158 wherein said load cell and said mounting pad are positioned within a housing coupled with said receiver assembly.
164. The system of claim 158 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
165. The system of claim 158 and further comprising a display in communication with said load cell and configured to output said force load, wherein said display optionally comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
166. The system of claim 165 wherein said display comprises a display configured to output a signal when said force load is at or above an over-force-limit.
167. The system of claim 156 wherein said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
168. The system of claim 167 wherein said voltage signal is transmitted to a display in communication with said force load and configured to output said force load, wherein said display further comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
169. The system of claims 156 and 167 wherein said force load is transmitted via a signal to a computing device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into a numerical or visual display of the force load.
170. The system of claim 169 wherein said device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into comprises a smartphone.
171. A method of detecting a force load comprising the steps:
- establishing a firearm assembly having a buttstock in a receiver;
- coupling said buttstock and receiver assembly using a force detection system comprising:
- a rigid outer hinge coupled with the proximal end of said buttstock;
- a tractable inner hinge positioned within said rigid outer hinge and responsive to a said buttstock;
- a force sensor positioned between said buttstock and said receiver assembly and responsive to said tractable inner hinge; and
- a complaint gasket positioned between said rigid outer hinge and said receiver assembly;
- applying a force load to said buttstock;
- transmitting said force load to said force sensor through said tractable inner hinge; and
- detecting said force load.
172. The method of claim 171 wherein said force sensor comprises a load cell.
173. The method of claim 172 wherein said step of transmitting comprises the step of transmitting said force load from said tractable inner hinge to said force sensor through a post.
174. The method of claim 172 wherein said step of applying a force load to said buttstock comprises applying a force load to the distal end of said buttstock.
175. The method of claim 174 wherein said step of applying a force load to the distal end of said buttstock comprises the step of applying a force load in-line with said load cell.
176. The method of claim 175 and further comprising the step of securing said load cell to a mounting pad.
177. The method of claim 176 and further comprising the step of positioning said load cell and said mounting pad within a housing coupled with said receiver assembly.
178. The method of claim 172 wherein said step of establishing a firearm assembly comprises the step of establishing a firearm assembly having a buttstock in a receiver configured for operation with a bolt-action rifle.
179. The method of claim 172 and further comprising the step of transmitting said force load to a display, wherein said display optionally comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
180. The method of claim 179 wherein said display comprises a display configured to output a signal when said force load is at or above an over-force-limit
181. The method of claim 171 wherein said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
182. The method of claim 181 and further comprising the step of transmitting said voltage signal to a display in communication with said force load and configured to output said force load, wherein said display further comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
183. The method of claim 171 and 181 and further comprising the step of transmitting said force load via a signal to a computing device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into a numerical or visual display of the force load.
184. The method of claim 181 wherein said step of transmitting said force load via a signal to a computing device comprises the step of transmitting force load via a signal to a smartphone.
185. A force detection system comprising:
- a firearm assembly having a first components coupled with a second component by a force detection assembly comprising:
- a rigid outer hinge coupled with a first component;
- a tractable inner hinge positioned within said rigid outer hinge and responsive to a said first component;
- a post responsive to said tractable inner hinge;
- a force sensor positioned between said first and second components and responsive to said tractable inner hinge; and
- a complaint gasket positioned between said rigid outer hinge and said receiver assembly;
- wherein a force load applied to said first component is transmitted through said tractable inner hinge transmits said force load to said force sensor.
186. The system of claim 185 wherein said first component comprises a firearm support device or a buttstock.
187. The system of claim 185 wherein said firearm support device comprises a bipod or a tripod.
188. The system of claim 185 wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of: a bipod support, a tripod support, a rail support, a stock, a barrel, a barrel attachment, a mount, and a receiver assembly.
189. The system of claim 185 wherein said force sensor comprises a load cell.
190. The system of claim 185 wherein said a tractable inner hinge is responsive to said force sensor by a post.
191. The system of claim 185 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to said first component.
192. The system of claim 185 wherein said force load comprises a force load applied to the firearm is in-line with said load cell.
193. The system of claim 185 wherein said load cell is secured to a mounting pad.
194. The system of claim 185 wherein said load cell and said mounting pad are positioned within a housing coupled with said receiver assembly.
195. The system of claim 185 wherein said firearm comprises a bolt-action rifle.
196. The system of claim 185 and further comprising a display in communication with said load cell and configured to output said force load, wherein said display optionally comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
197. The system of claim 196 wherein said display comprises a display configured to output a signal when said force load is at or above an over-force-limit.
198. The system of claim 185 wherein said force sensor comprises an electrical force sensor responsive to a force detection circuit having an electronic transducer configured to measure and convert said load force into a voltage signal.
199. The system of claim 198 wherein said voltage signal is transmitted to a display in communication with said force load and configured to output said force load, wherein said display further comprises and audio, hepatic, or visual display.
200. The system of claims 185 and 198 wherein said force load is transmitted via a signal to a computing device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into a numerical or visual display of the force load.
201. The system of claim 200 wherein said device which is configured with a computer executable program to convert said signal into comprises a smartphone.
PCT/US2020/054637 2019-10-07 2020-10-07 Novel firearm assemblies configured to detect force, suppress rotational recoil, and reduce mechanical distortion and methods of use thereof WO2021071989A1 (en)

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