IP Library › Granted Patent US 12680777
Granted Patent B2
US 12680777 · App. 19/102,514 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Muzzle brake assembly

Inventors: Matthew Kirk (Barrow-in-Furness, GB); Richard Peter Lewin (Barrow-in-Furness, GB)
Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
F41A21/38
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680777
App. No.
19/102,514
Filed
Feb 10, 2025
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Examiner
COOPER, JOHN
Art Unit
3641
USPC
89/14.3
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a modular muzzle brake assembly for an artillery weapon or cannon. The modular muzzle brake assembly comprises a plurality of modules configured to be releasably coupled together to define a passage for a projectile such that, when the artillery weapon or cannon is fired, propellant gas urges the projectile to pass through the passage. The plurality of modules include a plurality of baffles configured to divert at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage. The present disclosure also relates to a kit of parts for a modular muzzle brake assembly.

Claims (37)

1 . A modular muzzle brake assembly for an artillery weapon or cannon, the modular muzzle brake assembly comprising a plurality of modules configured to be releasably coupled together to define a passage for a projectile such that, when the artillery weapon or cannon is fired, propellant gas urges the projectile to pass through the passage, and wherein the plurality of modules include a plurality of baffles configured to divert at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage;

wherein a gap is provided between at least two of the baffles such that at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage can pass through the gap;

wherein at least one of the baffles includes a first baffle member and a second baffle member, the first baffle member having a first flow control surface and the second baffle member having a second flow control surface; and

wherein the propellant gas flowing out of the passage via the gap impinges on the first and second flow control surfaces.

2 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one coupling member to couple the modules together, the modules being releasable from the at least one coupling member.

3 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one coupling member comprises an elongate member.

4 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 2 , wherein one or more of the baffles comprises a receiving portion configured to receive part of the coupling member.

5 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one coupling member comprises a tie rod.

6 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of coupling members to releasable couple the modules together.

7 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of coupling members are configured to be disposed about a central axis of the passage.

8 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the first and second flow control surfaces converge such that a cross-sectional area of the gap reduces about the central axis of the passage and then diverge such that the cross-sectional area of the gap increases about the central axis of the passage.

9 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , comprising one or more spacers configured to space the-at least two of the baffles apart.

10 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of modules includes the one or more spacers.

11 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a space is disposed between the first and second baffle members.

12 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two of the baffles are interchangeable within the muzzle brake assembly.

13 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the baffles is configured to divert the propellant gas in a different manner to another one of the baffles.

14 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the passage is adjustable by altering the number of modules of the modular muzzle brake assembly.

15 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , comprising a mounting portion configured to couple to a gun tube of the artillery weapon or cannon.

16 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second baffle members are baffle plates.

17 . A weapon system comprising the modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 1 .

18 . A kit of parts for a modular muzzle brake assembly for an artillery weapon or cannon, the kit of parts comprising a plurality of modules configured to be releasably coupled together to define a passage for a projectile such that, when the artillery weapon or cannon is fired, propellant gas urges the projectile to pass through the passage, and wherein the plurality of modules include a plurality of baffles configured to divert at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage;

wherein a gap is provided between at least two of the baffles such that at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage can pass through the gap;

wherein at least one of the baffles includes a first baffle member and a second baffle member, the first baffle member having a first flow control surface and the second baffle member having a second flow control surface; and

wherein the propellant gas flowing out of the passage via the gap impinges on the first and second flow control surfaces.

19 . A modular muzzle brake assembly for an artillery weapon or cannon, the modular muzzle brake assembly comprising:

a plurality of modules configured to be releasably coupled together to define a passage for a projectile such that, when the artillery weapon or cannon is fired, propellant gas urges the projectile to pass through the passage, and wherein the plurality of modules include a plurality of baffles configured to divert at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage;

at least one coupling member to couple the modules together, the modules being releasable from the at least one coupling member; and

a mounting portion configured to couple to a gun tube of the artillery weapon or cannon;

wherein one or more of the baffles comprises a receiving portion configured to receive part of the at least one coupling member;

wherein a gap is provided between at least two baffles of the assembly such that at least a portion of the propellant gas in the passage can pass through the gap;

wherein at least one of the baffles comprises first and second baffle members, and a space is disposed between the first and second baffle members, so as to provide the at least one baffle with a hollow structure;

wherein the length of the passage is adjustable by altering the number of modules of the modular muzzle brake assembly;

wherein at least two of the baffles are interchangeable within the muzzle brake assembly;

wherein diversion of the propellant gas along the passage is adjustable by altering a baffle type of one or more of the baffles relative to one or more other of the baffles;

wherein the first baffle member has a first flow control surface and the second baffle member has a second flow control surface, and

wherein the propellant gas flowing out of the passage via the gap impinges on the first and second flow control surfaces.

20 . The modular muzzle brake assembly according to claim 19 , wherein the first and second flow control surfaces converge such that a cross-sectional area of the gap reduces about a central axis of the passage and then diverge such that the cross-sectional area of the gap increases about the central axis of the passage.