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US 12,447,521 B2Granted
Internal hydroforming method for manufacturing heat pipe wicks utilizing a hollow mandrel and sheath
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsJohn Lojek, Matthew M Swartz, William A. Byers, Gregory A. Kustra, David M. Gross
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A forming assembly for forming a wick is disclosed. The forming assembly includes a tube inflatable to an inflated configuration. A wick mesh is configured to be wrapped about the tube. The forming assembly further includes a sheath positionable about the tube and the wick mesh. The tube and the sheath are configured to compress the wick mesh and form the wick based on the tube inflating towards the inflated configuration.
Claims8
A forming assembly for forming a wick, comprising:
- a tube inflatable between an uninflated configuration and an inflated configuration;
- a wick mesh wrapped about the tube, wherein the wick mesh contacts the tube in the uninflated configuration;
- and
- a sheath positionable about the tube and the wick mesh, wherein the tube and the sheath are configured to compress the wick mesh and form the wick based on the tube inflating towards the inflated configuration.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.