Electrical power distribution busway having a two-piece housing

• US 6,265,666 B1
• Filed: 10/02/1998
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Faulkner, Nathan H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US09/165,758
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 174/68.1, 174/99.R, 174/99.B, 174/99.E, 174/101, 174/72.B, 174/70.B, 174/71.B, 174/135
• US Class Current: 174/99.00B
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 5/005 Laminated bus-bars
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 5/06 Totally-enclosed installations, e.g. in metal casings

Abstract

A low current electrical power distribution busway system which includes a housing composed of two side channels is described. The side channels enclose and secure a plurality of conductive busbars in place. In the preferred form of the invention, the busbars are electrically insulated via an electrostatic spray process. The side channels include a series of corrugations which space the busbars apart at a centerline-to-centerline distance compatible with common bus plugs used with high current busway systems. An S-shaped polychannel mechanically insulates separates the busbars and the side channel corrugations. Each side channel includes a pair of flange members which allow for joining and sealing the busway, and allow for improved structural strength and heat dissipation.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution busway comprising:

a plurality of conductive busbars having first and second continuous edges;

a busway housing comprising a first and a second electrically conductive side channel joined along joining surfaces of each side channel, each side channel including an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of corrugations disposed on the inner surface maintaining the busbars in a spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship;

a groove structure formed in at least one joining surface;

a sealing material disposed within the groove such that a seal is formed when the side channels are joined; and

at least one fastener for connecting the first and second side channels.

2. The busway of claim 1, wherein the groove structure is disposed on adjacent outer edges of the inner surface of each side channel.

3. The busway of claim 1, wherein a surface of at least one of the conductive busbars is covered by an electrically insulating material.

4. The busway of claim 3, wherein the electrically insulated material is deposited by an electrostatic spray process.

5. The busway of claim 1, wherein the busbars are spaced at a distance of substantially 0.32 inches from centerline to centerline.

6. The busway of claim 1, further comprising:

a single first S-shaped member disposed between the corrugations of the first side channel and the first edges of the busbars; and

a single second S-shaped member disposed between the corrugations of the second side channel and the second edges of the busbars.

7. The busway of claim 6, where each side channel is of a predetermined length and each S-shaped member is of substantially the same predetermined length.

8. The busway of claim 6, wherein each S-shaped member extends over the corrugation members of each side channel.

9. The busway of claim 6, wherein each S-shaped member has a tapered profile so that when the busbars are inserted into the S-shaped members, the edges of the busbars are wedged in place.

10. The busway of claim 6, wherein each S-shaped member is of a tapered profile providing an interference fit among the busbars, S-shaped member and side channels.

11. The busway of claim 6, wherein the S-shaped members are comprised of extruded plastic.

12. The busway of claim 1, wherein a single corrugation member is disposed between two adjacent busbars.

13. The busway of claim 1, wherein each side channel further includes a single semi-circular chamber disposed between two adjacent corrugations.

14. The busway of claim 1, wherein each side channel has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

15. The busway of claim 1, wherein each conductive busbar has a substantially rectangular cross-section of a predetermined width and a thickness of substantially 0.094 inches.

16. The busway of claim 15, wherein the busbars are spaced at a distance of substantially 0.32 inches from centerline to centerline.

17. The busway of claim 1, wherein each conductive busbar is of predetermined width, each edge is of a first predetermined thickness and a center section of each busbar is of a second predetermined thickness.

18. The busway of claim 17, wherein the second predetermined thickness is greater than the first predetermined thickness.

19. The busway of claim 17, wherein the first predetermined thickness is substantially 0.094 inches and the second predetermined thickness is greater than 0.094 inches.

20. The busway of claim 17, wherein the busbars are spaced at a distance of substantially 0.32 inches from centerline to centerline.

21. The busway of claim 1, wherein each side channel further comprises a plurality of ribs disposed on the outer surface opposite the corrugations.

22. The busway of claim 1, wherein each side channel is composed of extruded aluminum.

23. The busway of claim 1, further comprising a ground busbar, where the ground busbar is supported within the housing and electrically isolated from the busway housing and the other busbars.

24. The busway of claim 1, wherein each side channel includes an upper flange member and a lower flange member shaped such that the busway housing has an I-beam shape.

25. The busway of claim 24, wherein at least one of the flange members includes an extension member adapted for clamping a bus plug to the busway.

26. The busway of claim 24, wherein at least one of the flange members includes a ridge adapted for use in attaching the busway to a structure.

27. An electrical power distribution busway comprising:

a plurality of conductive busbars having continuous edges of a first predetermined thickness and a center section of a second predetermined thickness, wherein the second predetermined thickness is greater than the first predetermined thickness;

a busway housing comprising a first and a second electrically conductive side channel, each side channel including an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of corrugations disposed on the inner surface maintaining the busbars in a spaced-apart, generally parallel relationship, the side channels defining at least one aperture exposing a portion of an edge of a busbar for connection thereto from outside the busway housing; and

at least one fastener for connecting the first and second side channels.

28. The busway of claim 27, wherein the first predetermined thickness is substantially 0.094 inches.

29. The busway of claim 27, wherein a surface of at least one of the conductive busbars is covered by an electrically insulating material.

30. The busway of claim 29, wherein the electrically insulated material is deposited by an electrostatic spray process.

31. The busway of claim 27, wherein the busbars are spaced at a distance of substantially 0.32 inches from centerline to centerline.

32. The busway of claim 27, further comprising:

a single first S-shaped member disposed between the corrugations of the first side channel and the first edges of the busbars; and

a single second S-shaped member disposed between the corrugations of the second side channel and the second edges of the busbars.

33. The busway of claim 32, where each side channel is of a predetermined length and each S-shaped member is of substantially the same predetermined length.

34. The busway of claim 32, wherein each S-shaped member extends over the corrugation members of each side channel.

35. The busway of claim 32, wherein each S-shaped member has a tapered profile so that when the busbars are inserted into the S-shaped members, the edges of the busbars are wedged in place.

36. The busway of claim 32, wherein each S-shaped member is of a tapered profile providing an interference fit among the busbars, S-shaped members and side channels.

37. The busway of claim 32, wherein the S-shaped members are comprised of extruded plastic.

38. The busway of claim 27, wherein a single corrugation member is disposed between two adjacent busbars.

39. The busway of claim 27, wherein each side channel further includes a single semi-circular chamber disposed between two adjacent corrugations.

40. The busway of claim 27, wherein each side channel has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

41. The busway of claim 27, wherein each conductive busbar has a substantially rectangular cross-section of a predetermined width and a thickness of substantially 0.094 inches.

42. The busway of claim 27, wherein the busbars are spaced at a distance of substantially 0.32 inches from centerline to centerline.

43. The busway of claim 27, wherein each side channel further comprises a plurality of ribs disposed on the outer surface opposite the corrugations.

44. The busway of claim 27, wherein each side channel is composed of extruded aluminum.

45. The busway of claim 27, further comprising a ground busbar, where the ground busbar is supported within the housing and electrically isolated from the busway housing and the other busbars.

46. The busway of claim 27, wherein each side channel includes an upper flange member and a lower flange member shaped such that the busway housing has an I-beam shape.

47. The busway of claim 45, wherein at least one of the flange members includes an extension member adapted for clamping a bus plug to the busway.

48. The busway of claim 45, wherein at least one of the flange members includes a ridge adapted for use in attaching the busway to a structure.

49. An electrical power distribution system including a first electrical power distribution busway and a second electrical power distribution busway, the first electrical power distribution busway comprising a first plurality of busbars having edges of a first predetermined thickness, the first plurality of busbars spaced at a first predetermined distance from centerline to centerline, the second electrical power distribution busway comprising a second plurality of busbars having edges of a second predetermined thickness and center sections of a third predetermined thickness, the second plurality of busbars spaced at a second predetermined distance from centerline to centerline;

wherein the first predetermined thickness is substantially equal to the second predetermined thickness and the third predetermined thickness is greater than the second predetermined thickness; and

wherein the first predetermined distance is substantially equal to the second predetermined distance.

50. The electrical power distribution system of claim 49, wherein the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance are substantially 0.32 inches.

51. The electrical power distribution system of claim 49, wherein the first predetermined thickness and the second predetermined thickness are substantially 0.094 inches.