The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2025
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2021
Internal hydroforming method for manufacturing heat pipe wicks utilizing a hollow mandrel and sheath
Applicant:
Westinghouse Electric Company Llc, Cranberry Township, PA (US);
Inventors:
John Lojek, Valencia, PA (US);
Matthew M Swartz, Claridge, PA (US);
William A. Byers, Murrysville, PA (US);
Gregory A. Kustra, Gibsonia, PA (US);
David M. Gross, Gibsonia, PA (US);
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Cranberry Township, PA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B21D 26/033 (2011.01); B21D 26/051 (2011.01); B21D 39/04 (2006.01); B21D 39/20 (2006.01); B21D 53/06 (2006.01); B23P 15/26 (2006.01); F28D 15/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B21D 26/033 (2013.01); B21D 26/051 (2013.01); B21D 39/04 (2013.01); B21D 39/203 (2013.01); B21D 53/06 (2013.01); B23P 15/26 (2013.01); F28D 15/046 (2013.01); B23P 2700/09 (2013.01); F28F 2275/125 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49353 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49805 (2015.01);
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.