Gas System for an Automatic Firearm

• US 20100186582A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magpul Industries
• Original Assignee: Magpul Industries
• Inventors: Juarez, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 8,201,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/191.10
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 5/28 Adjustable systems

Abstract

The present invention is a gas system for a firearm comprising a hollow gas tube extending between a forward gas tap in a firearm'"'"'s barrel and a rearward piston assembly to impinge upon and operate the firearm'"'"'s bolt operating system. The system does not have a translation rod extending between the two components as in prior art systems nor does it have a rearward tap like others. As such, it balances cleanliness and weight reduction of the prior art systems and reduces moving parts.

Claims

1. A gas operating system for a firearm, said firearm comprising a barrel and a bolt actuated operating system, the gas system comprising:

a. a gas manifold with fluid communication into a fore portion of the barrel through a tap;

b. a hollow gas tube extending rearward from and having fluid communication with the gas manifold;

c. a piston housing situated at a hind end of the barrel and encompassing an end of the hollow gas tube; and

d. a piston residing within said piston housing, capable of lateral motion along an axis of the barrel and capable of impingement upon the bolt actuated operating system

wherein the piston and piston housing present a relatively gas tight chamber and, upon firing of the firearm, released gasses are diverted through the tap, into the gas manifold, through the hollow gas tube and into the piston housing, where said gasses build pressure to actuate the piston in a rearward direction such that it forces the bolt actuated operating system likewise rearward from a first position to a second position, releasing pressure therein and allowing the piston to be returned to a forward position when the bolt actuated operating system returns to its first position.

2. The gas operating system of claim 1, further comprising a spring, residing within the piston housing, positioned to bias the piston in a forward orientation.

3. The gas operating system of claim 2, further comprising at least one gas block positioned about the tap.

4. The gas operating system of claim 3, the gas block further comprising a rotational plug, with a transverse bore proximate the tap such that rotating the plug rotates the bore and regulates flow of gas into the gas system.

5. The gas operating system of claim 4, the piston housing being mounted upon a barrel trunnion of the firearm.

6. The gas operating system of claim 5, further comprising at least one gas ring about the piston.

7. The gas operating system of claim 6, the piston housing further comprising heat dissipating geometry.

8. The gas operating system of claim 1, further comprising at least one gas block positioned about the tap.

9. The gas operating system of claim 8, the gas block further comprising a rotational plug, with a transverse bore proximate the tap such that rotating the plug rotates the bore and regulates flow of gas into the gas system.

10. The gas operating system of claim 9, the piston housing being mounted upon a barrel trunnion of the firearm.

11. The gas operating system of claim 10, further comprising at least one gas ring about the piston.

12. The gas operating system of claim 11, the piston housing further comprising heat dissipating geometry.

13. The gas operating system of claim 1, the piston housing being mounted upon a barrel trunnion of the firearm.

14. The gas operating system of claim 13, further comprising at least one gas ring about the piston.

15. The gas operating system of claim 14, the piston housing further comprising heat dissipating geometry.

16. The gas operating system of claim 1, further comprising at least one gas ring about the piston.

17. The gas operating system of claim 16, the piston housing further comprising heat dissipating geometry.

18. The gas operating system of claim 1, the piston housing further comprising heat dissipating geometry.

19. A gas operating system for a firearm, said firearm comprising a barrel and a bolt actuated operating system, the gas system comprising:

a. a gas manifold with fluid communication into a fore portion of the barrel through a tap;

b. a hollow gas tube extending rearward from and having fluid communication with the gas manifold;

c. a piston housing situated at a hind end of the barrel and encompassing an end of the hollow gas tube; and

d. a piston residing about said piston housing, capable of lateral motion along an axis of the barrel and capable of impingement upon the bolt actuated operating system

wherein the piston and piston housing present a relatively gas tight chamber and, upon firing of the firearm, released gasses are diverted through the tap, into the gas manifold, through the hollow gas tube and into the piston housing, where said gasses build pressure to actuate the piston in a rearward direction such that it forces the bolt actuated operating system likewise rearward from a first position to a second position, releasing pressure therein and allowing the piston to be returned to a forward position when the bolt actuated operating system returns to its first position.