Bonding Endcap Spring Clip for Cable Runway Equipotential Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing an equipotential plane in telecommunications equipment ecosystems, particularly in cable runway systems, is challenging due to the need for field modifications like drilling and powder coating removal, which pose safety risks and reduce conductivity, and existing solutions like bonding straps and splice bars are not compatible with all configurations.
Innovation Solution
A bracket assembly comprising a cable runway splice kit with conductive materials and bonding endcaps featuring a spring clip and deflectable tab structure, allowing for electrical bonding between cable runway rails without field modification, enabling the creation of a shared equipotential plane across various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If field modification (drilling and powder coating removal) is performed to establish electrical bonding connections, then electrical bonding between cable runway sections is achieved, but conductivity is reduced and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates bonding tabs and contact surfaces directly into the cable runway sections during manufacturing, before field installation. This preliminary integration of bonding features eliminates the need for field drilling and coating removal, thereby maintaining conductivity and reducing safety risks while ensuring reliable electrical bonding connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bonding tabs as intermediary elements that facilitate electrical bonding between cable runway sections. These tabs serve as mediators that enable bonding connections without requiring direct contact between main conductive surfaces, thus preserving the integrity and conductivity of the original cable runway sections.
2Reliability
If bonding straps are installed between cable runway sections, then electrical continuity is provided, but compatibility with all configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs bonding tabs with universal compatibility features that allow them to work with various cable runway configurations. The bonding tabs are engineered to accommodate different section orientations and arrangements, providing electrical continuity across all configurations without requiring configuration-specific bonding straps or adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the bonding function into separate, modular bonding tabs that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the bonding system to adapt to various cable runway arrangements by selectively engaging tabs at different locations, thereby achieving universal configuration compatibility while maintaining electrical continuity.
3Reliability
If drilling and powder coating removal are performed in the field, then electrical bonding connections are established, but oxidation and rust exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates bonding tabs and contact surfaces directly into the cable runway sections during manufacturing, before field installation. This preliminary integration of bonding features eliminates the need for field drilling and coating removal, thereby maintaining conductivity and reducing safety risks while ensuring reliable electrical bonding connections.
4Reliability
If splice bars or spring clips are used for electrical bonding, then bonding connections are established, but compatibility with junction splice kits and external bonding applications is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding tab is designed with multiple functional capabilities: it provides electrical bonding between cable runway sections, interfaces with junction splice kits, and enables external bonding applications. This multi-functionality allows a single bonding tab design to replace multiple specialized components (splice bars, spring clips, external bonding devices), achieving universal compatibility across all applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a safe and effective method for establishing an equipotential plane in cable runway systems, eliminating the need for field modifications and ensuring electrical continuity across different configurations, thus enhancing electrical safety and reducing the risk of hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clip and a bonding lug, each of which is made from an electrically conductive material. The spring clip has two side walls that extend forward from a rear wall and is positionable within a channel of a cable runway rail. The bonding lug includes a contact portion and a side arm extending at each side of the contact portion. The contact portion of the bonding lug is receivable between the side walls of the spring clip to deflect the side walls and establish an electrical bonding connection
Implementation Method 2
a deflectable tab structure made from an electrically conductive material and includes at least one contact portion that protrudes from the bonding lug at an angle. Positioning of an end of the cable runway rail having the bonding endcap against a splice bracket causes the at least one contact portion to engage with and be deflected by the splice bracket, thereby sharing the electrical bonding connection with the splice bracket
Implementation Method 3
A bracket assembly comprising a cable runway splice kit with conductive materials and bonding endcaps featuring a spring clip and deflectable tab structure, allowing for electrical bonding between cable runway rails without field modification, enabling the creation of a shared equipotential plane across various configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A bonding endcap for use in connection with a bracket assembly for establishing an equipotential plane in a cable runway includes a spring clip and a bonding lug. The spring clip is made from an electrically conductive material and has two side walls that extend forward from a rear wall. The bonding lug is made from an electrically conductive material and includes a contact portion and a side arm extending at each side of the contact portion. The spring clip is positionable within a channel of a cable runway rail. The contact portion of the bonding lug is receivable between the side walls of the spring clip to deflect the side walls and establish an electrical bonding connection from the cable runway rail, through the spring clip, and to the bonding lug.