Abstract: An apparatus for curing cylindrical shaped elements having a liner, especially a liner of a rocket motor sleeve, where the cylindrical shaped elements are cured during rotation in a horizontal orientation. Horizontal rotation produces a liner with a substantially uniform thickness. The apparatus is mobile, compact, and has built-in robust safety mechanisms not compromised by the heat used to effect a cure. The cylindrical rollers are easily cleaned with minimal cross-contamination of one lot to another. Dripping of elastomeric materials from one assembly of rollers onto a stackable assembly of rollers below is eliminated. Each stackable assembly of rollers is independently controlled where each assembly is driven by its own motor, so rotation of one assemble does not affect another assembly of rollers.

Abstract: A method is provided for coating a steel surface of a workpiece. According to an aspect of the invention, a steel workpiece is subjected to a first embrittlement-relief baking operation to form a protective oxide layer on the steel surface. The protective oxide layer is de-scaled, and the steel surface is activated. A hydrogen bather coating is deposited on the activated steel surface, and activated. A zinc-nickel alloy is plated on the barrier coating, and subjected to a second embrittlement-relief baking operation. The porous plating is sealed with a conversion coat. The method is especially useful in making low to no hydrogen embrittlement cadmium-replacement steel parts. Also provided is a corrosion resistant coated steel workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for rinsing an article includes a tank having an upper portion, the upper portion including a rim; a discharge pipe connected to the tank; a generally cylindrical spray assembly disposed in a middle portion of the tank; a second tank; a source of rinse fluid connected to the second tank and to the spray assembly through a valve, the valve being operable to open to both the second tank and the spray assembly when a level of rinse fluid in the second tank is decreasing and operable to close to both the second tank and the spray assembly when the level in the second tank is at a full level; a fluid connection between the second tank and the rim of the tank; and a second valve disposed in the fluid connection and operable to open to allow rinse fluid to flow from the second tank to the rim of the tank and operable to close to allow refilling of the second tank.

Abstract: A method of uniformly distributing liner on an interior of a tube includes providing an apparatus comprising a horizontal bed, a tailstock coupling mounted on the horizontal bed, a drive coupling and a drive unit connected to the drive coupling; mounting the tube in the tailstock and drive couplings; and spinning the tube using torque control of the drive unit. In one embodiment, the method includes dispensing a continuous bead of liner on the interior of the tube and spreading the liner on the interior of the tube using a brush.

Abstract: A method is provided for coating a steel surface of a workpiece. According to an aspect of the invention, a steel workpiece is subjected to a first embrittlement-relief baking operation to form a protective oxide layer on the steel surface. The protective oxide layer is de-scaled, and the steel surface is activated. A hydrogen barrier coating is deposited on the activated steel surface, and activated. A zinc-nickel alloy is plated on the barrier coating, and subjected to a second embrittlement-relief baking operation. The porous plating is sealed with a conversion coat. The method is especially useful in making low to no hydrogen embrittlement cadmium-replacement steel parts. Also provided is a corrosion resistant coated steel workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning tubes includes a horizontal, adjustable bed, the bed including a bed housing and a slide movably disposed in the bed housing, a tailstock assembly fixed to a top of the slide, the tailstock assembly including a tailstock coupling, bearings for supporting the tailstock coupling and a locking clamp that moves the tailstock coupling and bearings relative to the slide, a drive coupling, a drive unit connected to the drive coupling, and a rocket motor tube disposed between the drive and tailstock couplings, the rocket motor tube including a mask, each mask including an angled surface thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying liquid liner to the interior of a rocket motor tube includes a horizontal surface; a rail mounted on the horizontal surface; a carriage that is movable along the rail; cartridge saddles and a bearing block mounted on the carriage; a cartridge gun disposed in the cartridge saddles, the cartridge gun including an extended tip that is longer that the rocket motor tube to be lined; a power supply connected to the cartridge gun; a rotary driven linear actuator mounted on the bearing block; a shaft drive mounted on the bearing block in operative association with the rotary driven linear actuator and in contact with a trigger of the cartridge gun; a weighing scale disposed on the horizontal surface; and a V-block disposed on the weighing scale, the V-block for holding the mask mounted rocket motor tube in axial alignment with the extended tip of the cartridge gun.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading liquid liner in the interior of a rocket motor tube, the rocket motor tube having masks attached at both ends of the rocket motor tube, the apparatus including a generally vertical support plate with an opening there through; a flange with a center opening attached to the support plate; a support tube inserted into the center opening of the flange; a stop disposed in the support tube, the stop abutting the support plate and engaging a mask on one end of the rocket motor tube; a retaining funnel that engages a mask on the other end of the rocket motor tube; a retaining ring that threadingly engages the retaining funnel; and at least two clamps attached to the support tube and engaging the retaining ring.

Abstract: A propellant grain for a cylindrical casing has a cavity including an axially central opening with a combustion product exit port at one end. The grain bears a plurality of surfaces extending circumferentially about and disposed normally or helically to this opening so as to define, between these surfaces and axially of the casing, alternating sections of propellant and sections of a groove or grooves in the propellant. The groove sections extend radially from the opening to a distance selectable to provide the grain with a large initial surface area while providing a high propellant volume.