US 12,269,196 B2
Internal hydroforming method for manufacturing heat pipe wicks
John Lojek, III, Latrobe, PA (US); Matthew M. Swartz, Claridge, PA (US); and William A. Byers, Murrysville, PA (US)
Assigned to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US)
Filed on Jul. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/362,689.
Application 18/362,689 is a division of application No. 16/853,270, filed on Apr. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,780,122.
Prior Publication US 2024/0017448 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 43/10 (2006.01); B29C 43/36 (2006.01); B29L 31/18 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 43/10 (2013.01) [B29C 43/3642 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3602 (2013.01); B29C 2043/3649 (2013.01); B29L 2031/18 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a wick by a forming shell assembly including a first shell defining a first recess, a second shell defining a second recess, and an inflatable tube, wherein the first recess and the second recess are configured to define an inner diameter of the forming shell assembly, the method comprising:
positioning a wick mesh about the inflatable tube;
positioning the inflatable tube and the wick mesh within the inner diameter of the forming shell assembly;
coupling a first end flange to a first side of the forming shell assembly;
coupling a second end flange to a second side of the forming shell assembly, wherein the first end flange comprises a hydraulic opening defined therein, and wherein the hydraulic opening is in fluid communication with the inflatable tube;
clamping the first shell and the second shell together with a clamp plate assembly;
applying pressure, via a source of pressure, to the inflatable tube through the hydraulic opening to transition the inflatable tube toward an inflated configuration to press the wick mesh against the first recess and the second recess such that the wick mesh is plastically deformed to form the wick; and
removing the formed wick from the forming shell assembly by separating the first shell and the second shell from each other;
the method further comprising:
positioning the inflatable tube about a porous support tube, wherein pores defined in the porous support tube are configured to fluidically couple the source of pressure to the inflatable tube;
positioning a first o-ring, a first portion of the porous support tube, and a first portion of the inflatable tube uncaptured by the wick mesh in a first receiving area defined in the first end flange; and
positioning a second o-ring, a second portion of the porous support tube, and a second portion of the inflatable tube uncaptured by the wick mesh in a second receiving area defined in the second end flange.