US-20260126247-A1 - VESSEL CHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

US20260126247A1US 20260126247 A1US20260126247 A1US 20260126247A1US-20260126247-A1

Abstract

A heat pipe charging system comprising a work platform structured and operable to have a heat pipe device disposed thereon, wherein the heat pipe device has at least one internal channel formed therein and a connection port formed within an outer wall of thereof. The system additionally comprising a processing head structured and operable to at least partially fill the at least one heat pipe device internal channel with a working fluid. The system further comprising a plurality of system conduits fluidly connected to the processing head that are structured and operable to provide at least one of a working fluid, a vacuum and a gas to the processing head to verify a hermetic part, at least partially fill the at least one heat pipe device internal channel with the working fluid and hermetically seal the channel using various plug methods.

Inventors

Lily Ellebracht
Joe Boswell
Corey Wilson

Assignees

ThermAvant Technologies, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250905

Claims (20)

1 . A heat pipe charging system, said system comprising: a work platform structured and operable to have a heat pipe device disposed thereon, wherein the heat pipe device has at least one internal channel formed therein and a connection port formed within an outer wall of thereof; a processing head structured and operable to at least partially fill the at least one heat pipe device internal channel with a working fluid; and a plurality of system conduits fluidly connected to the processing head that are structured and operable to provide at least one of a working fluid, a vacuum and a gas to the processing head to at least partially fill the at least one heat pipe device internal channel with the working fluid.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processing head comprises: a main operation module; and a multi-function attachment tool extending from the main operation module, wherein the multi-function attachment tool comprising an inner lumen and is structured and operable to be attachable to and hermetically sealable with the connection port of the heat pipe device, wherein the main operation module is structured and operable to selectively fluidly connect the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the main operation module comprises an orifice generating tool structured and operable to form an evacuation and fill passage within the connection port, the evacuation and fill passage extending through the heat pipe device outer wall into the at least one internal channel.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the orifice generating tool comprises: a cutting tool structured and operable to cut a conical groove partially through a thickness of the heat pipe device outer wall, thereby forming a cone-shaped plug connected at an apex thereof to a thin skin formed at a distal end of the conical recess between the conical recess and the at least one internal channel; and a plug control device structured and operable to one of: push the cone-shaped plug through the thin skin and thereafter withdraw the cone-shaped plug, thereby providing the evacuation and fill passage; and withdraw the cone-shaped plug away from the thin skin thereby breaking the thin skin and providing the evacuation and fill passage.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the orifice generating tool comprises punch rod structured and operable to perforate the outer wall, thereby providing the evacuation and fill passage.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the main operation module comprises: a ball plug input that is structured and operable to dispose a ball plug in a proximal end of an evacuation and fill passage formed within the connection port and extending through the heat pipe device outer wall into the at least one internal channel; and a plug ram structured and operable to push the ball plug at least partially into the evacuation and fill passage to thereby hermetically seal the evacuation and fill passage.
7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein: the main operation module is a piston type module comprising a piston-type actuator that extends into and is at least partially disposed within the internal lumen of the multi-function attachment tool; and the processing head further comprises a multi-source feed tube connected to the plurality of system conduits and to the main operation module such that the plurality of system conduits are selectably fluidly connectable to the multi-function attachment tool and inner lumen, and wherein the main operation module is structured and operable to selectively fluidly connect the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen.
8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein: the main operation module is a rotary type module comprising a top stator, a bottom stator, and a rotatable central body disposed between the top stator and the bottom stator; and the processing head further comprises a multi-source feed tube connected to the plurality of system conduits and to the main operation module such that the plurality of system conduits are selectably fluidly connectable to the multi-function attachment tool an inner lumen, wherein the rotatable central body is structured and operable to selectively fluidly connect the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen.
9 . The system of claim 8 wherein: the main operation module comprises an operation actuator and a linear slide that includes a first operation head and a second operation head; and the processing head further comprises a multi-source feed tube connected to the plurality of system conduits and to the main operation module such that the plurality of system conduits are selectably fluidly connectable to the multi-function attachment tool an inner lumen, wherein the linear slide structured and operable to selectively align the first and second operation heads with the piston rod to selectively fluidly connect the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen.
10 . A method for charging a heat pipe device with a working fluid utilizing a heat pipe charging system comprising a work platform, a processing head and a plurality of system conduits, said method comprising: disposing a heat pipe device on the heat pipe charging system work platform, wherein the heat pipe device comprises at least one internal channel formed therein and a connection port formed within an outer wall of thereof; placing a distal end of a multi-function attachment tool of the heat pipe charging system processing head in contact with the heat pipe device connection port such that an inner lumen of the multi-function attachment tool is fluidly connected with the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device via an evacuation and fille passage of the connection port that extends through an outer wall of the heat pipe device and into the channel least one internal channel of the heat pipe; verifying a hermetic seal between the distal end of the multi-function attachment tool and the heat pipe device connection port; and at least partially filling at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device with a working fluid via operation of a main operation module of the heat pipe charging system processing head, wherein the multi-function attachment tool extends from the main operation module and an inner lumen of the multi-function attachment tool is fluidly connectable to the plurality of the heat pipe charging system conduits, wherein one of the system conduits is connected to a working fluid source.
11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising forming the evacuation and fill passage within the connection port of the heat pipe device utilizing an orifice generating tool of the main operation module.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the orifice generating tool comprises a cutting tool, and forming the evacuation and fill passage comprises: cutting a conical groove partially through a thickness of the heat pipe device outer wall utilizing the cutting tool utilizing the orifice generating tool, thereby forming a cone-shaped plug connected at an apex thereof to a thin skin formed at a distal end of the conical recess between the conical recess and the at least one internal channel; and pushing the cone-shaped plug through the thin skin via a plug control device of the orifice generating tool and thereafter withdraw the cone-shaped plug, thereby providing the evacuation and fill passage.
13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising pushing the cone-shaped plug into the evacuation and fill passage after the at least partially filling at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device has been at least partially filled with the working fluid to thereby hermetically seal the evacuation and fill passage.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the orifice generating tool comprises a cutting tool, and forming the evacuation and fill passage comprises: cutting a conical groove partially through a thickness of the heat pipe device outer wall utilizing the cutting tool utilizing the orifice generating tool, thereby forming a cone-shaped plug connected at an apex thereof to a thin skin formed at a distal end of the conical recess between the conical recess and the at least one internal channel; and withdrawing the cone-shaped plug from the thin skin via a plug control device of the orifice generating tool and, thereby breaking the thin skin and providing the evacuation and fill passage.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising pushing the cone-shaped plug into the evacuation and fill passage after the at least partially filling at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device has been at least partially filled with the working fluid to thereby hermetically seal the evacuation and fill passage.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the orifice generating tool comprises a punch rod, and forming the evacuation and fill passage comprises perforating the heat pipe device outer wall utilizing the punch rod.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising: disposing a ball plug in a proximal end of the evacuation and fill passage utilizing a ball plug input of the main operation module; and pushing the ball plug at least partially into the evacuation and fill passage utilizing a plug ram of the main operation module to thereby hermetically seal the evacuation and fill passage.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the main operation module is a piston type module comprising a piston-type actuator that extends into and is at least partially disposed within the internal lumen of the multi-function attachment tool, and the processing head comprises a multi-source feed tube connected to the plurality of system conduits and to the main operation module, and wherein the method further comprises selectively fluidly connecting the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen via operation of the main operation module and the piston-type actuator to at least one of: verify the hermetic seal between the distal end of the multi-function attachment tool and the heat pipe device connection port; evacuate the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device; verifying the device is hermetic; and at least partially fill the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device with the working fluid.
19 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the main operation module is a rotary type module comprising a top stator, a bottom stator, and a rotatable central body disposed between the top stator and the bottom stator, and the processing head further comprises a multi-source feed tube connected to the plurality of system conduits and to the main operation module, and wherein the method further comprises selectively rotating the rotatable central body to selectively fluidly connect the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen to at least one of: verify the hermetic seal between the distal end of the multi-function attachment tool and the heat pipe device connection port; evacuate the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device; verifying the device is hermetic; and at least partially fill the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device with the working fluid.
20 . The method of claim 10 wherein the main operation module comprises a piston and a linear slide that includes a first operation head and a second operation head, and the processing head further comprises a multi-source feed tube connected to the plurality of system conduits and to the main operation module, and wherein the method further comprises selectively moving the linear slide to selectively align the first and second operation heads with the piston rod to selectively fluidly connect the plurality of system conduits to the multi-function attachment tool inner lumen to at least one of: verify the hermetic seal between the distal end of the multi-function attachment tool and the heat pipe device connection port; evacuate the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device; verify the device is hermetic; and at least partially fill the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device with the working fluid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/705,850, filed on Oct. 10, 2024. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS This invention was made with government support under FA8650-23-C-5019 awarded by United States Air Force. The government has certain rights in the invention. FIELD The present teachings relate to a system and method to of filling a vessel and in particular embodiments to a system and method for charging an OHP device with a working fluid. BACKGROUND The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. Oscillating heat pipe devices, conventional heat pipe devices, vapor chambers, and other hermetic devices having one or more internal channel are typically filled with a working or cooling fluid by adding or forming a tube structure that extends from the device that enables attachment of a sealing system. The sealing system is operable to pull a vacuum, introduce fluid into the device internal channel(s), and then seal the device (not necessarily in that order). The resulting tube structure protrudes from the hermetic device, which is not ideal due to fragility, increased device geometries due to the protruding tube stub, and additional process steps to protect tube structure. These issues are a major problem for complex form-fitting device designs that are possible with heat pipes/hermetic devices such as oscillating heat pipes where a protruding tube structure is difficult to integrate. Additionally, such protrusion tube structures can be subject to damage and therefore present a safety hazard if the working/cooling fluid is toxic or otherwise hazardous and accidental release of fluid can result from damage to the tube structure. Additionally, the multiple manufacturing steps, manufacturing cost and complexity are required to add such protruding tube structures to the device. Furthermore, current heat pipe charging systems are designed for implementation and operation at the device manufacturer's facility and require extensive equipment (e.g., vacuum bakeout systems, ovens, fume exhaust systems, weigh scales, etc.) and considerable capital cost. SUMMARY In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heat pipe charging system that comprises a work platform structured and operable to have a heat pipe device disposed thereon, wherein the heat pipe device has at least one internal channel formed therein and a connection port formed within an outer wall of thereof. The system additionally comprises a processing head structured and operable to at least partially fill the at least one heat pipe device internal channel with a working fluid, and a plurality of system conduits fluidly connected to the processing head that are structured and operable to provide at least one of a working fluid, a vacuum and a gas to the processing head to at least partially fill the at least one heat pipe device internal channel with the working fluid. In various other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for charging a heat pipe device with a working fluid utilizing a heat pipe charging system comprising a work platform, a processing head and a plurality of system conduits. In various instances the method comprises: a) disposing a heat pipe device on the heat pipe charging system work platform, wherein the heat pipe device comprises at least one internal channel formed therein and a connection port formed within an outer wall of thereof; b) placing a distal end of a multi-function attachment tool of the heat pipe charging system processing head in contact with the heat pipe device connection port such that an inner lumen of the multi-function attachment tool is fluidly connected with the at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device via an evacuation and fille passage of the connection port that extends through an outer wall of the heat pipe device and into the channel least one internal channel of the heat pipe; c) verifying a hermetic seal between the distal end of the multi-function attachment tool and the heat pipe device connection port; and d) at least partially filling at least one internal channel of the heat pipe device with a working fluid via operation of a main operation module of the heat pipe charging system processing head, wherein the multi-function attachment tool extends from the main operation module and an inner lumen of the multi-function attachment tool is fluidly connectable to the plurality of the heat pipe charging system conduits, wherein one of the system conduits is connected to a working fluid source. This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing various example embodiments of the present disclosure so as to provide a basic understanding of various aspects of the teachings herein. Various embodiments, aspects, and