Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for sealing a rotatable shaft. The shaft seal assembly includes a shaft seal having an outer diameter portion forming an annular base and an inner diameter portion including an annular shaft contacting surface. A shaft housing includes a plate having a central opening defined by a circumferential sidewall parallel to the longitudinal direction of a shaft extending therethrough and narrowed by a perpendicular endwall at one end. The annular base of the shaft seal has an outer surface configured to be pressed against the circumferential sidewall and proximate the endwall. A sealing layer is printed and cured on the outer surface forming a sealing engagement to the circumferential sidewall.

Abstract: A method of sealing an ammunition cartridge during an ammunition manufacturing process. The method including providing a cartridge case having a projectile receiving mouth with an inner surface and applying a thin circumferential film of a liquid light curable sealant to the inner surface. A cured thin circumferential film is formed by curing the thin circumferential film of liquid light curable sealant using an effective curing light from an optical light spectrum. A projectile is inserted into the mouth of the cartridge case with the cured thin circumferential film forming an air and moisture impermeable seal between the inner surface and the projectile.

Abstract: A tracer projectile used in a tracer round for a firearm, the tracer projectile including a body having a forwardly directed tip, a rearwardly directed trailing end, and a cavity formed in the trailing end of the body with a rearwardly directed opening. A tracer composition is contained in the cavity. An igniter sealant overlies the tracer composition, closing and sealing the rearwardly directed opening of the cavity. The igniter sealant is a hardened layer protecting the underlying tracer composition, sealing the cavity from moisture ingress, and is flammable to ignite the underlying tracer composition.

Abstract: A method of sealing an ammunition cartridge during an ammunition manufacturing process. The method including providing a cartridge case having a projectile receiving mouth with an inner surface and applying a thin circumferential film of a liquid light curable sealant to the inner surface. A cured thin circumferential film is formed by curing the thin circumferential film of liquid light curable sealant using an effective curing light from an optical light spectrum. A projectile is inserted into the mouth of the cartridge case with the cured thin circumferential film forming an air and moisture impermeable seal between the inner surface and the projectile.

Abstract: An ammunition sealing system includes a case hanging rail for holding a row of cases and one or more heating elements in close proximity to the row of cases. The one or more heating elements are configured to heat sealant applied inside the case mouths. The one or more heating elements are one or more induction heating elements or microwave heating elements.

Abstract: A method of sealing and securing of a shaped charge comprising a casing having a detonator, an explosive filler disposed within the casing having a cavity formed therein, and a liner disposed over the explosive filler. The method includes coating at least one portion of the shaped charge with a curable sealant, and exposing the curable sealant to radiation to cure the curable sealant. The radiation may be in the ultraviolet range and have a wavelength in a range of from about 200 to about 400 nanometers. In addition, the at least one portion of the shaped charge that is coated with the curable sealant may be a surface of the liner, a joint between the liner and the casing, over the detonator, or any combination thereof. The liner may comprise a metallic liner.

Abstract: An ammunition sealing system includes a case hanging rail for holding a row of cases and one or more heating elements in close proximity to the row of cases. The one or more heating elements are configured to heat sealant applied inside the case mouths. The one or more heating elements are one or more induction heating elements or microwave heating elements.

Abstract: A non-contact jet valve applicator is used to inject sealant into a joint of an ammunition cartridge, including a circumferential case mouth joint and/or primer cup joint. A sealant is selected with adhesive properties to set a pull strength of the cartridge. In a crimped cartridge, the pull strength set by the adhesive sealant is greater than a pull strength otherwise generated by the crimp.

Abstract: A method of achieving controlled, variable ballistic dispersion in an automatic weapon is disclosed includes providing a plurality of cartridges, where each cartridge has a case and a projectile partially inserted into a mouth of the case forming a circumferential joint between the projectile and the mouth of the cartridge and held therein at a different pull strength. The method also includes providing a plurality of adhesive sealants, where each adhesive sealant of the plurality of adhesive sealants sets a design bullet pull strength that is different from each other adhesive sealant.

Abstract: A method of coating a shaft seal for use with rotating parts is disclosed. The method includes providing a shaft seal having an annular shell and an inner lip concentrically spaced inward from an outer surface of the annular shell. The method also includes providing an ultraviolet (UV) coating, printing the UV coating to the outer surface of the annular shell, and exposing the UV coating on the outer surface of the annular shell to UV and other radiation. In addition, the method may include installing the shaft seal around a shaft.

Abstract: A system for printing a bullet tip identification includes a bullet support apparatus for holding and rotating a bullet about its longitudinal axis and a print head configured to be positioned in close proximity to a tip of a bullet. The print head is configured to apply an identification around the circumference of the bullet tip while the bullet is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A method of applying identification marks on bullet tip includes positioning a bullet tip in close proximity to a print head and rotating the bullet about a longitudinal axis of the bullet. An identification mark is then applied around the circumference of the bullet tip by the print head as the bullet rotates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an identifiable bullet and methods for making an identifiable bullet. In one embodiment, the bullet has a generally circumferential body that tapers from a rearward end toward a forward end. A generally circumferential bore extends from an orifice on the forward end into the body at least part of the way between the forward end and the rearward end. The end of the bore opposite the orifice includes a polymeric material support surface. A polymeric material is placed between the polymeric material support surface and the forward end. The polymeric material may include a user identifiable marker for allowing a user to identify the bullet when viewing the forward end. Alternatively, the polymeric material may cover a user identifiable marker and seal the user identifiable marker in the bore. A user may identify the bullet by viewing the marker from the forward end of the bullet.