Harmonically De-Tuned Flash Suppressor for Firearms

Abstract

A prong-type harmonically de-tuned flash suppressor that is usable with a sound suppressor. As a consequence of its harmonic de-tuning, the flash suppressor does not produce an audible ping when the firearm to which it is attached is discharged, due to harmonic variance among the prongs of the flash suppressor. Harmonic variance, or de-tuning, of the flash suppressor is accomplished by varying centers of gravity of the prongs such that each prong of the flash suppressor has a different fundamental harmonic than each other prong. This harmonic de-tuning of the flash suppressor is accomplished while maintaining each prong at an equal length to each other prong, and while maintaining the general exterior appearance of each prong as being about the same as the general exterior appearance of each other prong. Centers of gravities of the prongs, and thus fundamental harmonics of the prongs, may be varied by placing payloads within the prongs which serve as harmonic dampers. The payloads may be fixed within the prongs, or they may be allowed to freely move within the prongs.

1 . A harmonically-detuned flash suppressor for a firearm, and which may be capable of use in conjunction with a sound suppressor, the flash suppressor comprising:
 a body which is attachable to a firearm barrel,   a plurality of prongs extending from said body distally from said firearm barrel,   said prongs being generally the same length as each other,   at least a plurality of said prongs having load-carrying cavities therein,   at least a plurality of said cavities having a payload located therein,   said load-carrying cavities and payloads in combination serving to result in each prong having approximately the same mass as each other prong,   said load-carrying cavities and payloads in combination serving to result in each prong having a different center of gravity as each other prong,   said different centers of gravity resulting in each prong having a different fundamental harmonic resonance from each other prong, and   said differing prong harmonics of yielding a harmonically de-tuned flash hider.   
     
     
         2 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 1  wherein said payloads serve as harmonic dampers. 
     
     
         3 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 2  wherein said harmonic dampers are each in a fixed position within their load-carrying cavities. 
     
     
         4 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 2  wherein said harmonic dampers are free to move within said load-carrying cavities. 
     
     
         5 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 4  further comprising plugs in said load-carrying cavities to prevent said harmonic dampers from escaping from said cavities. 
     
     
         6 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said payloads includes a matrix material. 
     
     
         7 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 2  wherein each of said harmonic dampers is located within its prong a different distance from the muzzle of said firearm barrel than each of said other harmonic dampers. 
     
     
         8 . A harmonically-detuned flash suppressor for a firearm comprising:
 a body which is attachable to a firearm barrel,   a plurality of prongs extending from said body distally from said firearm barrel,   a means for attaching a sound suppressor to the flash suppressor, and   at least a plurality of said prongs having cavities therein;   wherein said prongs each has a different center of mass; and   wherein said prongs each has a different fundamental harmonic resonance.   
     
     
         9 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 8  wherein the harmonic resonance of each of said prongs tends to interfere with the harmonic resonance of at least another of said prongs. 
     
     
         10 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 8  further comprising a harmonic damper located in each of said cavities. 
     
     
         11 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of said prongs with said harmonic dampers installed is of approximately the same mass as each of said other prongs. 
     
     
         12 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 11  wherein said harmonic dampers are placed at different locations within the prongs, resulting in differing centers of mass for said prongs. 
     
     
         13 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of said harmonic dampers has the same specific gravity of each other harmonic damper. 
     
     
         14 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of said harmonic dampers has a different specific gravity from each other harmonic damper. 
     
     
         15 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 10  wherein the combination of prong and harmonic damper has the same mass as each other prong and harmonic damper combination. 
     
     
         16 . A flash suppressor as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of said harmonic dampers has a different mass from other of said harmonic dampers. 
     
     
         17 . A harmonically-detuned flash suppressor for a firearm comprising:
 a body which is attachable to a firearm barrel,   a plurality of prongs extending from said body,   each of said prongs being of equal mass,   each of said prongs being of equal length,   at least a plurality of said prongs having a cavity located within it, and   each of said cavities having a payload located therein;   wherein each of said prongs each has a different center of mass from said other prongs;   wherein each of said prongs each has a different harmonic resonance from said other prongs.   
     
     
         18 . A flash hider as recited in  claim 17  wherein at least one of said payloads is free to move within its cavity. 
     
     
         19 . A flash hider as recited in  claim 17  wherein at least one of said payloads if in a fixed position within its cavity. 
     
     
         20 . A harmonically-detuned flash suppressor for a firearm as recited in  claim 17  wherein the harmonic resonance of each prong interferes with the harmonic resonance of each other prong, so that the vibration of each prong tends to dampen the vibration of each other prong instead of adding to it.