Cable Tray Support Block Assembly for Vertical Curve Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable trays are difficult to install, especially in large vertical curves, and do not effectively secure high power cables, leading to potential cable flailing and heat dissipation issues.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray design featuring opposed side rails with aligned through bores and stacked cable support blocks, where lower rungs have upward channels and openings for secure fastening, allowing for easier assembly and secure cable confinement through staggered rows of semi-circular cut-outs, reducing the risk of cable flailing and improving heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Podedworny cable tray design with lower and upper support blocks is used to secure cables in spaced relation, then cable stability and heat dissipation are improved, but installation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lower support blocks are pre-positioned on the rungs before cable installation, with their semi-circular channels facing upward to receive cables. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need to temporarily hold blocks during installation and allows cables to be laid directly into the pre-prepared channels without shifting or repositioning issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tray is divided into separate lower support blocks that can be independently positioned and secured to rungs, rather than requiring complete assembly of upper and lower blocks before cable installation. This segmentation allows progressive assembly where lower blocks are installed first, cables are placed, then upper blocks are added to complete the enclosure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the Podedworny cable tray design is used to confine cables in spaced relation, then cable cooling and prevention of cable flailing are improved, but assembly difficulty increases especially in large vertical curves
Solution Approach 1:
Lower support blocks are pre-positioned and temporarily secured with bolts before cable installation, ensuring they remain stable during the assembly process even in vertical curve sections. This eliminates the risk of blocks shifting or falling over during installation, making the assembly process easier and more reliable in challenging geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates and prevents the harmful effect of support blocks shifting or falling during installation by using temporary bolted securing of lower blocks before cable placement. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential instability that would otherwise occur during assembly, particularly in vertical curve sections where gravity and positioning challenges are greatest.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional cable trays without secured cable positioning are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but cable heat dissipation and cooling are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray uses segmented lower support blocks with semi-circular channels that create spaced positioning for cables, allowing improved air circulation and heat dissipation while maintaining relatively simple installation. The segmentation provides both thermal management benefits and structural simplicity compared to fully enclosed designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tray has a pair of opposed side rails with a pair of aligned through bores. One or more stacked cable support blocks extend between the opposed side rails. A lower rung extends between the rails at the pair of aligned through bores. The lower rung has an upwardly opening channel extending along its length receiving the bottom edge of a lowermost one of the cable support blocks. The lower rung also has at least one opening extending through the lower rung in alignment with the pair of aligned through bores. A fastener extends through at least one opening of the lower rung and through at least one of the pair of aligned through bores in the side rails.