Silencer for multi barrel weapon systems

Abstract

A suppressor for a multi-barrel weapon system includes an aft end configured to receive a muzzle of each barrel of the plurality of barrels, a forward end defining a plurality of projectile apertures configured to align with the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end, and a sidewall extending from the aft end to the forward end, the sidewall at least partially defining a single continuous interior chamber in which propellant gases emitted from the muzzle of each barrel comingle and circulate. The suppressor can include a plurality of baffles. A plurality of projectile apertures in each baffle can align with the muzzles to define a plurality of parallel bullet paths. Each projectile aperture is in fluid communication with each other projectile aperture.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A suppressor for a weapon system having a plurality of barrels, the suppressor comprising:
 an aft end configured to receive a muzzle of each barrel of the plurality of barrels;   a forward end defining a plurality of discrete projectile apertures configured to align with the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end; and   a sidewall extending from the aft end to the forward end, the sidewall at least partially defining an interior chamber in which propellant gases emitted from the muzzle of each barrel comingle and circulate.   
     
     
         22 . The suppressor of claim  1 , wherein the propellant gases comingle and circulate in the interior chamber before venting to ambient through the forward end. 
     
     
         23 . The suppressor of claim  1 , further comprising at least one structure in the interior chamber configured to slow or circulate the propellant gases within the interior chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The suppressor of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 at least one projectile aperture defined through the at least one structure, the at least one projectile aperture configured to align with a respective barrel of the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end;   wherein the at least one projectile aperture is in fluid communication with each other projectile aperture.   
     
     
         25 . The suppressor of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the at least one structure is a plurality of structures in the interior chamber configured to slow or circulate the propellant gases within the interior chamber;   each structure defines at least one projectile aperture configured to align with a respective barrel of the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end; and   each projectile aperture is in fluid communication with each other projectile aperture.   
     
     
         26 . The suppressor of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the at least one projectile aperture is a plurality of discrete projectile apertures configured to align with a respective barrel of the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end.   
     
     
         27 . The suppressor of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a plurality of parallel projectile pathways extending through the at least one structure from the muzzles of the plurality of barrels to the plurality of discrete projectile apertures in the forward end when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end;   wherein each projectile pathway of the plurality is in fluid communication with each other projectile pathway.   
     
     
         28 . The suppressor of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the at least one structure comprises a plurality of plates; and   each projectile pathways extends through at least one plate of the plurality of plates.   
     
     
         29 . The suppressor of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a plurality of plates in the interior chamber between the aft end and the forward end; and   at least one projectile aperture extending through each plate of the plurality;   wherein each projectile aperture is in fluid communication with each other projectile aperture.   
     
     
         30 . A suppressor for a weapon system having a plurality of barrels, the suppressor comprising:
 an aft end configured to receive a muzzle of each barrel of the plurality of barrels;   a forward end defining a plurality of projectile apertures configured to align with the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end, wherein each projectile aperture is spaced from each other projectile aperture; and   a sidewall extending from the aft end to the forward end, the sidewall at least partially defining an interior chamber in which propellant gases emitted from the muzzle of each barrel comingle and circulate.   
     
     
         31 . The suppressor of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of projectile apertures is equidistantly and radially spaced about a center of the forward end. 
     
     
         32 . The suppressor of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one structure in the interior chamber configured to slow or circulate the propellant gases within the interior chamber. 
     
     
         33 . The suppressor of  claim 32 , wherein:
 the at least one structure is a plurality of structures in the interior chamber configured to slow or circulate the propellant gases within the interior chamber;   each structure defines at least one projectile aperture configured to align with a respective barrel of the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end; and   each projectile aperture is in fluid communication with each other projectile aperture.   
     
     
         34 . The suppressor of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the at least one projectile aperture is a plurality of projectile apertures configured to align with a respective barrel of the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end.   
     
     
         35 . A suppressor for a weapon system having a plurality of barrels, the suppressor comprising:
 an aft end configured to receive a muzzle of each barrel of the plurality of barrels;   a forward end defining a plurality of projectile apertures configured to align with the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end;   a sidewall at least partially defining an interior chamber extending from the aft end to the forward end; and   a plurality of structures in the interior chamber configured to slow or circulate propellant gases emitted from the muzzle of each barrel within the interior chamber, each structure defining at least one projectile aperture therethrough;   wherein each projectile aperture is in fluid communication with each other projectile aperture.   
     
     
         36 . The suppressor of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of structures in the interior chamber are arranged to collectively define a plurality of parallel projectile pathways extending through the suppressor. 
     
     
         37 . The suppressor of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of structures in the interior chamber is a plurality of plates. 
     
     
         38 . A suppressor for a weapon system having a plurality of barrels, the suppressor comprising:
 an aft end configured to receive a muzzle of each barrel of the plurality of barrels;   a forward end defining a plurality of discrete non-circular projectile apertures spaced radially about a center of the forward end and configured to align with the plurality of barrels when the muzzle of each barrel is received in the aft end; and   a sidewall extending from the aft end to the forward end.   
     
     
         39 . The suppressor of  claim 38 , wherein each discrete non-circular projectile aperture is elongated in a direction extending counter to a direction of rotation of the plurality of barrels during firing of the weapon system. 
     
     
         40 . The suppressor of  claim 38 , wherein each discrete non-circular projectile aperture has a generally triangular shape.