GB2162929A - Devices for silencing automatic and semi-automatic weapons - Google Patents

Abstract

A silencer for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon comprises an annular part A adapted to be attached to the end of the barrel 1 of the weapon, an annular part B supported by and telescopically movable over the part A, and a spring C urging the parts A and B to a relative limit position defined by a step 13 on the part B. Movement of the part B against the spring C is limited by an opposite step 14. A silencing chamber 2 has inlet passages 4 and outlet passages 5, and a contained space at the weapon end of the chamber 2 is defined between a radial wall 7 of the part A and an apertured internal radial wall 8 of the part B. The spring C acts between the walls 7 and 8 and urges the parts to a minimum volume condition corresponding to said limit position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Devices for silencing automatic and semiautomatic weapons The invention relates to devices for silencing automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Such devices are hereinafter referred to generally as "silencers".

Silencers are normally attachable to the barrel of a weapon and efficient silencing requires an adequate mass which impairs or even inhibits the ability of an automatic or semi-automatic weapon to produce its automatic or semi-automatic fire. Thus the design of a silencer-for such a weapon is essentially a compromise, and if automatic or semi-automatic capability is to be maintained only a restricted degree of silencing can in practice be achieved.

The object of the invention is to provide a silencer which can be designed with the requisite mass for efficient silencing but which in use will not reduce the ability of a weapon to produce automatic or semi-automatic fire. A further object is to provide such a silencer which, whilst retaining the full automatic or semiautomatic action of the weapon with an improved silencing facility, can also be designed to reduce the flash and emission in the visible and infra-red spectrum.

According to the invention a silencer for an automatic-or semi-automatic weapon comprises three parts: a first part adapted to to be attached to the weapon, normally but not essentially to the barrel of the weapon, a second part containing a silencing chamber with inlet and outlet passages so that the propulsion gases can enter and leave this part, and an elastic;part interconnecting the first and second parts, the elastic part and the gas pressure within the silencer acting on the first and second parts in such manner as very substantially to reduce the inertia loading of the weapon by the mass of the silencer.

With the silencer mechanism of the invention only said first part which is attached to the weapon effectively becomes part of it, thus materially reducing restriction of move ment of the automatic action of'the weapon for a given mass of silencer. The first part may be of relatively small mass as compared with the second part, in which case the silencing chamber is conveniently defined entirely within the second part with the first and second parts in telescopic engagement.

Said second part containing the silencing chamber may contain a matrix of gauze mesh to cool the entering propulsion gases, and if necessary an external cooling system can also be employed. Said three parts of the mechanism can be so designed that the action of said first part simulates, during firing and recocking, the action of the part of the weapon to which it is attached. This minimises said inertia loading of the weapon and in the limit may reduce it substantially to zero.

In some cases a dash pot action may be incorporated in the mechanism, whereby to achieve a better simulation of the action motion to that of the weapon. The relative movement imparted to said first and second parts may include a rotational as well as an axial component, for use with weapons which require more than a simple linear motion of the barrel. Such a rotational component can be arranged to simulate the normal rotational movement of the barrel and may be achieved by enhancing the efflux of the propulsion gases from the silencer in directions normal to the axis of the bore of the barrel.

In sophisticated versions of silencer mechanisms in accordance with the invention the mechanical actions may include injection of coolant and/or inhibitors into the silencer chamber further to reduce noise and emissions.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example, diagrammatically in axial cross-section, two basic types of silencer in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a silencer with one type of action, and Fig. 2 shows a silencer with another type of action.

The silencer mechanisms illustrated comprise three main parts: a first part A adapted to be attached to the weapon to be silenced, and shown attached to the end of the barrel 1 of the weapon only an end part of which is shown in the drawings; a second part B supported by and movable relatively to the first part A, which contains an annular silencing chamber 2; and an elastic part C which interconnects the parts A and B.

As it leaves the silencer the projectile passes through rubber sealing curtains 3, and the chamber 2 has inlet passages such as 4 and outlet passages such as 5 through which the propulsion gases enter and leave the part B respectively. The chamber 2 will normally contain a matrix of gauze or mesh for cooling of the gases, and/or an external cooling system can be employed.

In the mechanism of Fig. 1 the elastic means C is an extension spring 6 which interconnects an annular end wall 7 of the annular part A and an apertured end wall 8 of the chamber 2 defined within the part B. The parts A and B are capable of telescopic extending movement with an outer wall 9 of the part B sliding externally on an outer cylindrical wall 10 of the part A, and a cylindrical inner wall 11 of the part B sliding around an inner cylindrical wall 1 2 of the part A which mounts on the weapon barrel 1.A step 1 3 at the outer end of the wall 11 limits relative contracting movement of the parts under the action of the spring 6, and a step 14 at the outer end of the wall 9 limits relative extending movement against the spring 6 under the influence of the gas pressure in a contained space 1 5 between the parts A and B. The gas enters this space 1 5 from the silencing chamber 2 through the apertures such as 1 6 in the wall 8.

In this first type of action the part A simulates the part of the weapon to which it is attached, in the arrangement shown the barrel 1, during firing and re-cocking. The efflux gases entering the silencing chamber 2 pass into the space 15, and gas pressure acts to separate the parts A and B against the spring 6. This forces the part A back and thus minimizes the effect of the inertia of part A on the weapon. The part B is simultaneously forced forwards with the separating movement of the parts A and B giving energy to the interconnecting elastic part C.

By appropriate control of pressure conditions, by controlling the efflux of gases from the silencing chamber 2, the restoring force of the spring 6 which gives up its energy contracts the silencer pulling the parts A and B together to assist the re-cocking mechanism of the weapon. By appropriate design of the parts A, B and C the action of the silencer mechanism can be adjusted to simulate closely the normal movement of the barrel 1 and thus to minimize inertia effects.

In the second type of action which is illustrated in Fig. 2 the forces acting on part A, namely the gas pressure on one hand and the elastic part C on the other hand, are reduced by reducing the effective area of part A on which the gas pressure acts and by reducing the elastic rate. In this case the part A extends through the part B and projects at the front end thereof, the rubber curtains 3 now being at the forward end of a central tubular through wall 20 of the part A. Thus the silencing chamber although still within the part B is in part defined by a section of the wall 20 in which the inlet passages 4 are formed. The annular part B is slidably mounted on the wall 20 and, surrounding the end of the barrel 1, has a reduced diameter outer wall section within which a radial wall or flange 22 on the part A is disposed.

The gas pressure acts between the radiallynarrow wall 22 and an outer end wall 23 of the part B in which outlet passages 5 are formed. The elastic part C in this construction comprises two compression springs 24 and 25 between which the wall or flange 22 of part A 'floats'. The spring 24 is positioned between the wall 22 and an inner end wall 26 of the part B, and the spring 25 is positioned between the wall 22 and an inner apertured wall 27 of the part B within the silencing chamber 2. This arrangement allows a low elastic rate to be employed. The effective area of the part A on which the gas pressure acts is made correspondingly low by having steps 28 and 29 on the inner wall 20 which face towards the wall 22, proving a low differentia! area on which the gas pressure acts to produce the force urging the part- A towards the weapon.

In both of the silencer actions illustrated the elastic force and the masses of parts A, B and C can be chosen so that the frequency of their movements can simulate that of the automatic or semi-automatic weapon with which the silencer is to be used. In some cases a better simulation by the action motion of that of the weapon itself can be arranged by incorporating a dashpot action or by producing rotative motion of parts A and B, or by increasing or decreasing the input and/or output of gas during the motion. The double spring 24,25 arrangement of Fig. 2 also enables the natural oscillation frequency of the silencer action to be adjusted to suit that of the weapon action.

It will be appreciated that in all cases the design of the silencer must be suited to the weapon. Some weapons require more than a simple linear motion of the barrel, in which case the relative rotational motion of the barrel can be simulated in the action of the silencer. This can be achieved by enhancing the eflux of gas from the silencer in directions normal to the axis of the bore of the barrel, for example tangentially of the silencer body.

In sophisticated embodiments of the invention the mechanical action will include the injection of coolant and/or inhibitors to further reduce noise and emissions.

Claims (1)

1. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon comprising three parts: a first part adapted to to be attached to the weapon, a second part containing a silencing chamber with inlet and outlet passages so that the propulsion gases can enter and leave-this part, and an elastic part interconnecting the first and second parts, the elastic part and the gas pressure within the silencer acting on the first and second parts in such manner as very substantially to reduce the inertia loading of the weapon by the mass of the silencer.

2. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 1, wherein said first part is adapted to be attached to the outer end of the barrel of the weapon.

3. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first part is of relatively small mass as compared with the second part.

4. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 3, wherein the silencing chamber is defined entirely within said second part and the first and second parts are in telescopic engagement.

5. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elastic part comprises a spring or springs.

6. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claims 4 and 5, wherein said first part is contained within the second part and both these parts are of annular form, said second part having a radially inner wall apertured to provide said inlet passages and a radial outer end wall apertured to provide at least some of said outlet passages, and a contained space is defined between a radial wall of the first part and an apertured internal radial wall of the second part at the weapon end of the silencer chamber, with said elastic part comprising a spring which acts to urge the the first and second parts towards a minimum volume condition of that space.

7. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 6, wherein said spring is a tension spring which acts between the two radial walls defining said contained space.

8. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 6, wherein said spring is one of two compression springs which act in opposite directions on said radial wall of the first part.

9. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the annular area of said radial wall of the first part is less than the radial are of said apertured radial wall of the second part.

1 0. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a radially outer wall of said second paart within which the first part is axially slidable is also apertured to provide some of said outlet passages.

11. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein a through passage in said second part is closed adjacent the outer end thereof by rubber sealing curtains.

1 2. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second part contains a matrix of gauze mesh to cool the entering propulsion gases.

1 3. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an external cooling system is provided to cool the propulsion gases.

1 4. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said three parts of the mechanism are so designed that the action of said first part in use simulates, during firing and re-cocking of the weapon, the action of that part of the weapon t9 which it is attached.

15. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 14, wherein a dash pot action is incorporated in the mechanism.

16asA silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 1 3 or claim 14, wherein the relative movement in use imparted to said first and second parts includes a rotational component in addition to an axial component.

17. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to claim 16, wherein means are provided to enhance the efflux of the propulsion gases from the silencer in directions normal to the axis of the bore of the barrel of the weapon, whereby to produce said rotational component.

1 8. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to inject coolant and/or inhibitors into the silencer chamber.

19. A silencer for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon, substantially as herein particularly described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.