METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVACUATING AND FILLING HEAT PIPES AND SIMILAR CLOSED VESSELS

摘要

A table (14) carries guides (18, 20) for receiving and guiding a heat pipe (16). The heat pipe (16) has a fill port (36) which contains a valve (40). The heat pipe (16) is thrust against the seal face (30) of a block (22) for evacuating and filling the fluid chamber (32) of the heat pipe (16). A hex driver (72) passes through the block (22) and engages the valve (40) to open and close the valve (40) while the fill port (36) is sealed from the atmosphere.