IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,565,012
Granted Patent B2
US 12,565,012 · App. 17/929,857 · Granted Mar 3, 2026

Induction welding using a heat sink and/or cooling

Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Jr. (Carlsbad, CA); Creed Ernest Blevins (Aliso Viejo, CA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
B29C66/349B29C65/3668B29C66/9121B29C66/95F28F21/06F28F21/084F28F2245/00F28F2255/02F28F2255/06F28F2275/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,565,012
App. No.
17/929,857
Granted
Mar 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a number of tiles, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and have a thermal diffusivity of greater than about 25 mm2/sec. A joint flexibly joins the tiles together.

Claims (42)

1 . A method of forming a heat sink, the method comprising:

spacing a number of tiles into a single layer with a gap between the tiles, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive; and

filling the gap between the tiles with an adhesive flexibly joining sides of the number of tiles to each other.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising joining the tiles with a mechanical hinge disposed within the gap.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting the tiles onto a layer of flexible adhesive sprayed onto a backing material comprising fibers comprised of a glass.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising disposing cooling channels within the gap.

5 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising curing the adhesive.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

spacing the tiles includes spacing the tiles on a backing material: and

the adhesive comprises:

a tensile strength of between 690 psi to 1035 psi; and

a tear strength (Die B) of between 31 lb/in to 190 lb/in.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the flexible adhesive comprising a silicone.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein;

the tiles are electrically non-conductive and have a thermal diffusivity of greater than about 25 mm 2 /sec; and

the adhesive comprises:

a long-term degradation temperature greater than about 570 degrees Fahrenheit in air; and

an elongation of between 120% and 670%.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising fluid channels within the tiles and the gap defining a fluid path for communicating a coolant through the heat sink.

10 . A method for forming a heat sink for induction welding, the method comprising:

spacing a number of tiles into a single layer within a frame having a jig;

removing the jig;

applying a flexible adhesive between the tiles; and

subsequently curing the flexible adhesive.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising priming the tiles with a primer.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

priming the tiles includes priming the tiles with a silicone primer: and

the flexible adhesive comprises:

a long-term degradation temperature greater than about 570 degrees Fahrenheit in air; and

an elongation of between 120% and 670%.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing the number of tiles that are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive prior to spacing the number of tiles within the frame.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein spacing the tiles within the frame includes spacing the tiles on a backing material comprising a glass disposed under the frame.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein;

spacing the tiles on the backing material includes adhering the tiles to the backing material; and

the flexible adhesive comprises:

a tensile strength of between 690 psi to 1035 psi; and

a tear strength (Die B) of between 31 lb/in to 190 lb/in.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising disposing cooling channels within the flexible adhesive.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising removing the backing material after curing the flexible adhesive.

18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the flexible adhesive forms a joint between the tiles at edges of the tiles and the flexible adhesive is comprised of silicon.

19 . The method of claim 10 wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and have a thermal diffusivity of greater than about 25 mm 2 /sec.

20 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising disposing a fluid path defined by fluid channels within the tiles and the flexible adhesive for communicating a coolant through the heat sink.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2022
From: DICHIARA, ROBERT A., JR.; BLEVINS, CREED ERNEST
To: THE BOEING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 060997/0207 →
Continuity (2)
Division 16532954 · Aug 6, 2019
Related Publication 20220410501A1 · Dec 29, 2022
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