Pressure Controlling Structure and Method for Controlling Pressure

The present disclosure relates to controlling propagation of pressure within a structure, and more particularly to a pressure controlling structure and a method for controlling pressure.

Pressure needs to propagate within a structure in many kinds of applications. If this takes place in an uncontrolled and non-optimal manner, it may cause unexpected and non-desirable side effects. These side effects may comprise for instance sounds and even affect functionality of the object.

An example of pressure propagating in a structure are high-temperature and high-pressure propellant gases escaping and escaping from a muzzle of a firearm, which can generate a shockwave that produces a loud muzzle blast.

Known solutions typically aim at slowing down the pressure propagation and using plate-like structures often provided in a direction transverse to the main direction of movement of the pressure to reflect sound waves to dampen them. More particularly, traditional silencers, also known as sound suppressors, suppressors, or sound moderators, are muzzle devices that reduce the acoustic intensity of the muzzle report by modulating the speed and pressure of the propellant gas from the muzzle and, hence, suppressing the muzzle blast. This, however, does not enable optimal prevention of non-desirable sounds, and slowing down the pressure wave typically causes structures heating up and similar effects accelerating the wear of the parts, especially the edges of the structure, for example.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a new pressure controlling structure and method for controlling pressure.

The object of the disclosure is achieved by a method and pressure controlling structure which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Some embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The disclosure is based on the idea of controlling propagation of pressure within a structure such that the pressure is dispersed by walls and openings provided in the structure in a direction radial in relation to the inlet direction of the pressure.

An advantage of the method and structure of the disclosure is that undesired sound waves and interference of pressure waves within the structure can be reduced. Thus, the sounds caused by the pressure waves can be minimized and the pressure can be guided to move in an optimal way within the structure.

The figures are provided for illustrating some features of the disclosure only and are not shown to scale. Same reference numbers are used for similar features in different figures and embodiments. Not all similar features are necessarily provided with reference numbers for the sake of clarity.

The disclosure relates to controlling propagation of pressure within a structure, and more particularly to a pressure controlling structure and a method for controlling pressure.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlled in the pressure controlling structure and/or in the method for controlling pressure may comprise a shockwave. According to an embodiment, the shockwave may comprise a shockwave generated by a controlled explosion or another type of a pressure source. A shockwave comprises a propagating disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound in the medium. Such a supersonic shockwave, or supersonic pressure wave, breaks the sound barrier, causing a sound. A shockwave carries energy and can propagate through a medium. A shockwave is typically abrupt, nearly discontinuous, change in pressure, temperature and/or density of the medium. While the pressure controlling structure and the method are particularly suitable in connection with controlling such shockwaves, they are also applicable for controlling a more continuous pressure propagations and pressure waves in other types of applications.

illustrates schematically a pressure controlling structure according to an embodiment,illustrates schematically a pressure controlling structure according to an embodiment in a cross-sectional side view,illustrates schematically the pressure controlling structure ofseen in the direction D-D, andillustrates schematically the pressure controlling structure ofseen in the direction E-E.

Pressure controlling structures, such as the pressure controlling structuresof, may be used in different kinds of applications, where pressure is configured to led or propagated through the structures. Such pressure controlling structuresmay be particularly beneficial in applications, in which sound wave or interfering reflections of pressure should be avoided. According to an embodiment, the pressure may comprise a shockwave, and controlling the shockwave may comprise dissipating the shockwave.

It should be understood that the primary purpose of the pressure controlling structuremay be controlling and guiding the movement of pressure, such as a shockwave, inside the structure, but that is not necessarily the case. It should also be understood that the pressure controlling structures of the attached figures only illustrate the basic principles and certain embodiments of a pressure controlling structureof the disclosure, and that the details of the pressure controlling structure may, thus, vary in different embodiments.

A pressure controlling structure, such as a pressure controlling structureof at least one of the, comprises a first wallextending from an inlet openingat least in a first directionand at least partly defining a first spaceextending in a direction parallel to the first direction.

The inlet openingrefers to the opening, through which the pressure is configured to be received in the pressure controlling structure. The pressure may, thus, be configured to enter the pressure controlling structurethrough the inlet opening. According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the first wallmay be curved in at least one direction, preferably curved about a direction parallel with the first direction. According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the first wallmay comprise a round cross section. The round cross section may comprise an annular shape, for example. According to another embodiment, the first wallmay comprise a cross section that forms a part of a round or annular shape, whereby multiple pressure controlling structuresmay be brought together to form the round or annular first wall.

The first directionmay comprise a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the inlet opening. The first directionmay also comprise a main direction of movement of the pressure. It other words, the pressure may exit the pressure controlling structureat an end opposite to the inlet opening.

According to an embodiment, the one or more first wallsform a continuous first spaceextending from a first endof the pressure controlling structureto the other of the pressure controlling structure, which is opposite to the first end. According to an embodiment, the first spacedefined by one or more first wallshas a cylindrical shape. According to an embodiment, the first spacehas a cylindrical shape and the longitudinal direction of the first spaceextends in the first directionor in a direction parallel to the first direction.

The pressure controlling structurefurther comprises at least one first openingprovided in the first wall, the first openinghaving a first cross-sectional area, and the first openingconnecting the first spaceto a second space. The second spaceis provided on the opposite side of the first wallin relation to the first space. In other words, the first wallextends between the first spaceand the second spaceand separates the first spacefrom the second space. The at least one first opening, thus, connect the first spaceto the second space. Thereby, the at least one first openingenables the pressure being released from the first spaceto the second space. According to an embodiment, the at least one first openingenables the pressure being released from the first spaceto the second spacein a radial direction. According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay comprise two or more first openings.

The pressure controlling structurefurther comprises at least two first side wallsextending from the first wallin a direction angled in relation to the first wall. According to an embodiment, the at least two first side wallsextend from the first wallin a direction radial and/or perpendicular in relation to the first wall. According to an embodiment, the at least two first side wallsextend from the first wallin a direction perpendicular in relation to the first direction.

The pressure controlling structurefurther comprises a second wallextending between two first side walls. According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the second wallmay be curved in at least one direction, preferably curved about a direction parallel with the first direction. According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the second wallmay comprise a round cross section. The round cross section may comprise an annular shape, for example. According to another embodiment, the second wallmay comprise a cross section that forms a part of a round or annular shape, whereby multiple pressure controlling structuresmay be brought together to form the round or annular second wall.

At least two of the first side wallsmay, thus, be connected to the first wallat one end and to the second wallat the opposite end of the first side wall. According to an embodiment comprising more than two first side walls, each one of the first side wallsmay be connected to the first wallat one end and/or to the second wallat the opposite end of the first side wall. According to another embodiment comprising more than two first side walls, two of the first side wallsmay be connected, in each case, to the first wallat one end and/or to the second wallat the opposite end of the first side wall. According to a further embodiment comprising more than two first side wallsand also comprising more than one first wallsand/or second walls, at least two of the first side wallsmay be connected to a same first wallat one end and/or to a same second wallat the opposite end of the first side wall.

The pressure controlling structurefurther comprises at least two second openings, each of the second openingshaving a second cross-sectional area, and the second openingsconnecting the second spaceto a third space. The third spaceis provided on the opposite side of the second wallin relation to the second space. In other words, the second wallextends between the second spaceand the third spaceand separates the second spacefrom the third space. The at least two second openings, thus, connect the second spaceto the third space. Thereby, the at least two second openingsenable the pressure being released from the second spaceto the third space. According to an embodiment, the at least two second openingsenable the pressure being released from the second spaceto the third spacein a radial direction. According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay comprise three or more second openings.

In the pressure controlling structure, the number of the second openingsis larger than the number of the first openings, the second cross-sectional area of each second openingis smaller than the first cross-sectional area of each first opening, and a combined cross-sectional area of all the second openingsis larger than a combined cross-sectional area of all the first openings. According to an embodiment, the volume of the second spacemay be larger than the volume of the first space. According to an embodiment, the volume of the third spacemay be larger than the volume of the second space. In more general terms, according to an embodiment, the volume of an outer space may, in each case, be larger than a space inner compared to the outer space.

An advantage of such embodiments is that they enable controlling the propagation, or movement, of the pressure in such a manner that the pressure is released from the first spacethrough the second spaceto the third space, while sound waves are, at least mostly, kept in the spaces closer to the first space. As the combined cross-sectional area of the outer openings, such as the second openings, is larger than the combined cross-sectional area of the inner opening(s), such as the first opening(s), the pressure tends to propagate towards the larger combiner cross-sectional area. As the cross-sectional area of each one of the outer openings, such as the second openings, is smaller than the cross-sectional area of each one of the inner opening(s), such as the first opening(s), the velocity of the pressure flow increases.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay further comprise at least two second side wallsextending from the second wallin a direction angled in relation to the second wall; a third wallextending between the two second side walls; and at least three third openings, each of the third openings having a third cross-sectional area, and the third openingsconnecting the third spaceto a fourth space, which fourth spaceis provided on the opposite side of the third wallin relation to the third space. The number of the third openingsmay be larger than the number of the second openings. The third cross-sectional area of each third openingmay be smaller than the second cross-sectional area of each second opening, and a combined cross-sectional area of all the third openingsmay be larger than a combined cross-sectional area of all the second openings.

According to an embodiment, the at least two second side wallsmay extend from the second wallin a direction radial and/or perpendicular in relation to the second wall. According to an embodiment, the at least two second side wallsextend from the second wallin a direction perpendicular in relation to the first direction.

According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the third wallmay be curved in at least one direction, preferably curved about a direction parallel with the first direction. According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the third wallmay comprise a round cross section. The round cross section may comprise an annular shape, for example. According to another embodiment, the third wallmay comprise a cross section that forms a part of a round or annular shape, whereby multiple pressure controlling structuresmay be brought together to form the round or annular third wall.

According to an embodiment, at least two of the second side wallsmay, thus, be connected to the second wallat one end and to the third wallat the opposite end of the second side wall. According to an embodiment comprising more than two second side walls, each one of the second side wallsmay be connected to the second wallat one end and/or to the third wallat the opposite end of the second side wall. According to another embodiment comprising more than two second side walls, two of the second side wallsmay be connected, in each case, to the second wallat one end and/or to the third wallat the opposite end of the second side wall. According to a further embodiment comprising more than two second side wallsand also comprising more than one second wallsand/or third walls, at least two of the second side wallsmay be connected to a same second wallat one end and/or to a same third wallat the opposite end of the second side wall.

According to an embodiment, the volume of the third spacemay be larger than the volume of the second space.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay further comprise at least one first dividing wallextending from the first wallin a direction angled in relation to the first wall on the side of the first wall opposite to the first spaceand also extending in a direction parallel to the first direction. According to an embodiment, the at least one first dividing wallmay extend from the first wallin a direction radial in relation to the first wall. In an embodiment, where the first walland the second wallcomprise an annular shape, the first dividing wall(s)may, thus, split the second spaceinto segments.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structure may further comprise at least one second dividing wallextending from the second wallin a direction angled in relation to the second wall on the side of the second wall opposite to the second spaceand also extending in a direction parallel to the first direction. According to an embodiment, the at least one second dividing wallmay extend from the second wallin a direction radial in relation to the second wall. In an embodiment, where the second walland the third wallcomprise an annular shape, the second dividing wall(s)may, thus, split the third spaceinto segments. According to an embodiment, the first wall, the two first side wallsand the second wallmay define the second spaceand/or the second wall, the two second side wallsand the third wallmay define the third space.

According to an embodiment, the first wall, the two first side walls, the at least one first dividing walland the second wallmay define the second spaceand/or the second wall, the two second side walls, the at least one second dividing walland the third walldefine the third space.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the walls,,,,,,may be provided with at least one protrusionprotruding in the first space, the second space, the third spaceand/or the fourth spaceto further control waves of the pressure. According to an embodiment, at least one of the walls,,,,,,may be shaped to form at least one protrusionprotruding in the first space, the second space, the third spaceand/or the fourth spaceto further control waves of the pressure. In other words, the protrusion(s)may comprises separate shapes protruding to one of the spaces,,,from the corresponding wall,,,,,,, or at least one of the walls,,,,,,may itself be shaped to form the protrusion(s). Such shapes may comprise for instance spikes, waves, indentation, or the like.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay be formed of at least two sectionssplit in a direction parallel to the first direction, such as in the embodiment of. According to other embodiments, the pressure controlling structuremay comprise four, six, eight or twelve sections. Embodiments comprising multiple sectionsmay be beneficial for instance from cleaning and maintaining point of view. According to an embodiment, each sectionmay comprise at least one first dividing wall.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay be formed of at least two partssplit in a direction transverse to the first direction, wherein each partcomprises at least one first side wall. According to an embodiment, each partmay comprise two or more first side wallsforming two or more second spacesadjacent to each other in the first directionin the part.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the sectionsand/or partsmay be formed as a separate structural part. According to another embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay be formed as one uniform structural part.

According to an embodiment, one or more third dividing wallsmay be provided in an outermost space,to divide the outermost space into two or more space sections.

According to an embodiment, in the area of at least a partof the pressure controlling structureclosest to a first endof the pressure controlling structureprovided with the inlet end, the first spacemay be connected to an outermost space,via openings,,, and in the area of at least a partof the pressure controlling structureclosest to an end opposite to the first endin the first direction, the first spacemay not be connected to the outermost space via openings,,.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay comprise further spaces (not shown) provided between the first spaceand an outermost space, such as a third spaceor a fourth space. According to an embodiment, at least the first openingsand the second openingsmay be spread evenly along the 360 degrees circumference surrounding the first spaceand the second spacein such a manner that pressure provided in the first spacecan be dispersed evenly outwards from the first space. According to an embodiment, the first cross-sectional area of each first openingmay be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first space, and the combined cross-sectional area of all the first openingsalong the 360 degrees circumference and provided, in each case, between two adjacent first side wallsin the first directionis larger than the cross-sectional area of the first space. An advantage of such embodiments is that the velocity of the pressure flow, such as the shockwave, may be accelerated, especially in the radial direction, simultaneously as the pressure, especially the pressure in the first space, is decreased. This may be particularly beneficial in connection with embodiments, where an object, such as a projectile, is configured to move in the first spacein the first direction, because the pressure behind the object, and preferably also before the object, in the first direction may be dissipated, or dispersed, in the radial direction, thus reducing interference to the movement of the object, and accelerates the velocity of the pressure flow, especially in the outermost space. This may further enhance the dispersion and dissipation of the pressure from the first space, especially behind the object in relation to the direction of movement of the object, as the object moves forward in the first directionin the first spacefrom one first side wallto the next first side wall. This is because the moving object may expose a new group of first openingsbehind the object each time the object passes a first side wall. In other words, as the object reaches a first side wall, a connection may be formed from the first spacethrough a further group of first openingsbetween the object and the inlet opening, namely the first openingsprovided between the last passed first side walland the previous passed first side wall, towards the second spaceand radially outwards from there through further openings,.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling structuremay comprise a metal material, such as titanium, steel or aluminium or an alloy thereof, a ceramic material or a plastic material, such as a polymeric material. These materials may be particularly beneficial in connection with embodiments where high pressured and/or temperatures are involved, such as in embodiments related to guns or similar, whereas also other materials may be suitable in other embodiments and applications.

Although the cross-sections and circumferences may comprise a round shape, as shown in, for example, in some embodiments, the walls, spaces and/or other structures may comprise a different shape. Preferably, the shape, round, or other shape, is configured to extend 360 degrees around the first space.

illustrates schematically a pressure controlling device according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, a pressure controlling device, such as a pressure controlling device of, may comprise a pressure controlling structureaccording to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments described in this disclosure. Depending on the embodiment, the pressure controlling devicemay further have other structural parts, such as a distal end cap, a housing, a dividing sleeve, and a proximal end cap.

According to an embodiment, the pressure controlling devicemay comprise a sound dampening device for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle, a catalytic converter of a vehicle, a ventilation device, a pneumatic drill, or similar device, in which a controlled explosion or a pressure source may cause a shockwave. In such embodiments, a pressure controlling structure, a pressure controlling deviceand/or a method for controlling pressure according to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments disclosed in this description may be (configured to be) used to dampen sound caused by shockwave(s).

According to another embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the pressure controlling devicemay preferably comprise a sound dampening device for a gun, such as a firearm. In such embodiments, a pressure controlling structure, a pressure controlling deviceand/or a method for controlling pressure according to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments disclosed in this description may be (configured to be) used to dampen sound caused by shockwave(s).

More particularly, the pressure controlling structure, the pressure controlling deviceand/or the method for controlling pressure may be (configured to be) used for dissipating a shockwave caused by a controlled explosion or a pressure source. Preferably the shockwave is dissipated to all directions perpendicular to the first direction, in other words radially in relation to the first direction. The shockwave is, thus, dissipated to spread evenly along the 360 degrees, such as towards the 360 degrees circumference surrounding the first spaceand the second space.

According to an embodiment, in which the pressure controlling structuremay be configured to be used in a connection of a gun or the pressure controlling devicecomprises a sound dampening device for a gun, the pressure controlling structureor the pressure controlling devicemay form a silencer, a sound suppressors, a suppressor, or a sound moderator for a gun, or a part of one. The pressure controlling structure, the pressure controlling deviceand/or the method for controlling pressure may be particularly beneficial in such embodiments, because the pressure controlling structures, as described in this disclosure, are configured to enable dissipation of pressure, such as a shockwave, after entering the pressure controlling structurethrough the inlet opening, radially in relation to the first direction. This, together with the structure(s) of the pressure controlling structureaccording to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments disclosed in this description enables the pressure, such as the shockwave, to be directed to the outer circumference of the pressure controlling structure, such as to the outermost space,. Thereby, when a projectile (not shown), such as a bullet, is pushed to the first spacevia the inlet openingand forward inside the first space, by the pressure, such as the shockwave, the pressure is, thus, dissipated to the outermost space and forward in the first directioninside the outermost space. Thereby the pressure does not bypass the projectile in the first space, before the projectile exits the end of the pressure controlling structureopposite to the first end. This has the further advantage that the pressure dissipated does not interfere with the projectile, whereby optimal accuracy and flight dynamics of the projectile can be achieved.

According to an embodiment, such as the embodiment of, the pressure controlling devicemay comprise a dividing sleeve. The dividing sleevemay be configured to extend over the area of at least a partof the pressure controlling structureclosest to an end opposite to the first endin the first direction. Thereby, a space may be formed between the dividing sleeveand a housingin the area of the at least one partof the pressure controlling structureclosest to an end opposite to the first endin the first direction, into which the first spacemay not be connected in the area of the at least one partof the pressure controlling structureclosest to an end opposite to the first end, but into which the first spaceis connected to via openings,,at least in the area of at least one partof the pressure controlling structureclosest to the first end. This may be particularly beneficial, as the pressure is typically at its highest at the point it enters the first spaceat the inlet opening. According to an embodiment, this space closest to the housingmay form the outermost space. The dividing sleevemay comprise radial protrusions dividing the outermost space into segments, which are preferably arranged symmetrically and equally along the outermost space.

illustrates a method for controlling pressure. A method for controlling pressure, such as the method of, comprises controllingpressure by a pressure controlling structureaccording to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments disclosed in this disclosure, or a pressure controlling devicedescribed in this disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the method comprises dampening a sound caused by a pressure entering the pressure controlling structurein the first directionthrough an inlet openingprovided at a first endof the pressure controlling structureby dispersing the pressure from a first space outwards in a radial direction.