Patent · US Expired

Radial-venting baffled muzzle brake

US6578462B1 · kind B1 · utility

24Cited by
5References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 12, 2001
Grant dateJun 17, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 12, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF41A21/36
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved muzzle brake for reducing the momentum of the recoiling components of a gun or cannon when fired, thereby reducing the forces acting on the support platform of a weapon system, is provided. In the presence of the muzzle brake, the projectile fired from a cannon to restrains the gas flow in the axial direction until gases are allowed to be diverted to a baffle in the main body of the muzzle brake. The resultant gas flow impinges on the baffle, thereby inducing a forward thrust. The diverted gas flow then exits through a plurality of exhaust ports provided to the atmosphere to create a thrust applied to the recoiling components of the gun system. Additional thrust is created by the inclusion of a second stage baffle, offset from the main body of the muzzle brake at an optimal distance by a plurality of standoffs. This thrust generates an impulse that is applied in the opposite direction of the recoil momentum by the amount of the muzzle brake impulse. The resulting reduced forces result in lighter cannon support structures, enhancing mobility and effectiveness.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.