VACUUM INSULATION VESSELS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME

摘要

The present invention involves the use of a braze preform (28) for sealing and maintaining a vacuum in an insulation vessel (10). The braze preform (28) comprises particles of a braze material that are at least partially sintered together and at least substantially free of a binder. An assembly is provided for use in a method of manufacturing a vacuum insulation vessel (10). The assembly comprises a metal jacket (12) defining an interior space (20) to be evacuated and one or more evacuation ports (24) formed through a wall of the jacket (12). The evacuation ports (24) provide an opening to the interior space (20). The sintered braze preform (28) is located adjacent to the evacuation ports (24) so as to seal the evacuation ports (24) upon the melting of the brazing material. After the interior space (20) of the jacket (12) is evacuated, the preform (28) can be melted and allowed to solidify and seal the evacuation ports (24). In this way a vacuum can be maintained in the interior space (20).