US 11,858,075 B1
Heat pipe wick bonding through crimping
David M. Gross, Gibsonia, PA (US); and Adana L. Stanish, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/049,526.
Int. Cl. B23P 15/26 (2006.01)
CPC B23P 15/26 (2013.01) [B23P 2700/09 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a wick assembly, the method comprising:
positioning an inner ring in a first wick;
positioning the inner ring in a second wick;
abutting an end of the first wick with an end of the second wick;
positioning an outer ring about a portion of the first wick and a portion of the second wick;
positioning a mandrel within the inner ring;
positioning a die about the outer ring; and
applying a force to the die, wherein the force couples the outer ring, the inner ring, the first wick, and the second wick together to form the wick assembly.