Electrical Busway Assembly with Asymmetric Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical busway assemblies have limited flexibility in installing plug-in devices, with only dedicated locations available for tap-off power outlets, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to current leakage and electromagnetic forces, and lack compatibility for multiple tap-off power outlets with adequate insulation and mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

An electrical busway assembly with an elongated housing member and insulating members that provide dedicated insulation between busbars, allowing plug-in devices to be installed at any point along the busway, featuring removable insulating members, grid covers for protection, and a non-ferrous aluminum housing for enhanced mechanical strength and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If busbars are arranged in conventional orientation within existing electrical busway assembly, then electrical power distribution is achieved, but current leakage occurs resulting in huge drop in efficiency and creating electromagnetic forces during faulty events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent leakageVSAvoidbusbar orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The busbars are arranged in an asymmetric configuration where they are not parallel to each other but are instead positioned at different angles or orientations within the busway assembly. This asymmetric arrangement disrupts the symmetrical current paths that cause leakage and electromagnetic forces, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining electrical continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate insulating structure or positioning element is introduced between the busbars to control their spatial relationship. This intermediary component ensures proper electrical isolation and positioning, preventing direct contact and reducing current leakage paths while maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tap-off power outlets are installed along the busway, then flexibility in installing plug-in devices is improved, but insulation between busbars becomes critical and existing insulating techniques are not compatible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in installing plug-in devicesVSAvoidinsulation between busbars
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The busway assembly is segmented into multiple sections with individual insulating members positioned at regular intervals between busbars. Each segment can independently accommodate tap-off outlets while maintaining proper insulation. This segmentation allows multiple plug-in devices to be installed along the busway without compromising the insulation integrity between different phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dedicated insulating members are introduced as intermediary elements between the busbars throughout the length of the busway. These insulating members provide continuous electrical isolation, enabling the installation of multiple tap-off outlets at various locations while maintaining reliable insulation between busbars carrying different phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If air gaps are introduced between shaped bars to provide electrical insulated spacing, then arcing between different phases is prevented, but leakage current flows through conductive busbars creating eddy current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of arcing between phasesVSAvoideddy current
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The busbars are positioned in an asymmetric arrangement that prevents parallel alignment, thereby disrupting the formation of closed loops that generate eddy currents. By eliminating the symmetrical parallel configuration, the asymmetric positioning reduces eddy current losses while maintaining adequate spacing to prevent arcing between phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating members are introduced as intermediary elements between busbars to provide both spacing and electrical isolation. These intermediaries prevent direct conductive paths that would create eddy currents while maintaining the necessary air gaps or insulation barriers to prevent arcing between different phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If conventional busway assembly is used, then electrical power distribution is achieved, but user has to subsist in an unsafe work environment due to current leakage and electromagnetic forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical power distributionVSAvoidunsafe work environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric busbar arrangement eliminates the symmetrical current paths that generate harmful electromagnetic forces and leakage currents. This asymmetric configuration reduces electromagnetic interference and creates a safer working environment while maintaining effective electrical power distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating members are introduced as intermediary elements throughout the busway assembly to provide continuous electrical isolation. These intermediaries reduce current leakage and minimize electromagnetic forces, thereby creating a safer work environment for users while maintaining productive electrical power distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables flexible installation of plug-in devices with improved electrical clearance and creepage, maintaining a safe and efficient working environment by allowing power to be drawn from any point along the busway assembly, reducing current leakage and electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

insulating members removably attached with said housing member onto said plurality of protrusion; plurality of electrical busbars having a rear side and a front side, said electrical busbars being removably attached with said plurality of insulating members at its rear side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

elongated rectangular flat conductive busbars are arranged in an insulated manner within electrical busway for transporting the multi-phase high current electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

plurality of grid covers removably attached with said plurality of electrical busbars for providing protection of the busway assembly from any foreign objects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4102665A1Electrical busway assembly
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4102665A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4102665A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4102665A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical busway assembly (100) for accommodating plurality of plug-in devices (102), wherein said electrical busway assembly. The busway assembly (100) comprises an elongated housing member (106), plurality of insulating members (110), plurality of electrical busbars (112) and plurality of grid covers (114). The electrical busbars (112) are removably attached with said plurality of insulating members (110) at its rear side such that each of said insulating members (110) is interposed between every immediate pair of said electrical busbars (112) for providing electrical insulation to the busway assembly (100). The front side housing member (106) in open to receive said plurality of electrical busbars (112) and elongated housing member (106) and thereby providing installation provision for said plurality of plug-in devices (102). In an event of installation of said plug-in devices (102) onto said busway assembly (100), said grid covers (114) are configured to guide plurality of plug-in jaws (104) of said plug-in devices (102) to rest onto said electrical busbars (112)