Cable Tray Expansion Fitting for Seismic Movement Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable tray systems lack effective solutions for allowing relative movement between sections during seismic events, leading to potential damage or exposure of cables when conventional expansion joints are used.

Innovation Solution

An expansion fitting with a flexible membrane and tray connectors that enables three-dimensional movement between cable tray sections, allowing for longitudinal expansion and relative displacement in lateral and vertical directions, while maintaining cable protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional expansion joints are used to allow movement between cable tray sections, then relative movement during seismic events is accommodated, but cables are exposed to the environment causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate seismic movementVSAvoidcable exposure to environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane as the core component of the expansion fitting. This membrane can deform and expand to accommodate seismic movements between cable tray sections while maintaining a continuous enclosure that protects cables from environmental exposure. The flexible nature of the membrane allows it to stretch and contract with movement while keeping cables contained within the protected space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion fitting acts as an intermediary component between adjacent cable tray sections. It provides a transition zone that allows relative movement while maintaining cable protection. The fitting includes coupling plates that connect to both sections and a flexible membrane that bridges the gap, serving as a mediator that enables movement without direct exposure of cables to the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If cable tray sections are rigidly connected using splice plates, then structural integrity is maintained, but relative movement during seismic events causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of cable tray assemblyVSAvoidprotection against seismic damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a static, rigid connection system to a dynamic one. The expansion fitting with its flexible membrane can adapt its configuration in response to seismic forces, allowing the cable tray assembly to move and deform without breaking. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain integrity under varying load conditions while accommodating seismic movements that would damage rigid connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable tray system is divided into separate sections that can move independently, connected by the expansion fitting. This segmentation allows each section to respond to seismic forces independently while remaining part of the overall assembly. The coupling plates and flexible membrane create a segmented but connected system that balances structural integrity with movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If expansion joints are used to allow movement, then seismic movements are accommodated, but cable protection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate movementVSAvoidcable exposure to environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane serves as both the movement-accommodating mechanism and the protective barrier. Its flexible nature allows it to deform with seismic movements while its continuous structure maintains the enclosure that protects cables. The membrane stretches and contracts like a balloon, keeping cables contained while allowing the overall assembly to move.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 expansion fitting effectively accommodates seismic movements, protecting cables by allowing relative movement between cable tray sections without exposing them to the environment, thus enhancing structural integrity and cable safety.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11916362B2Expansion fitting for cable tray

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a cable tray fitting with tray connector and a flexible membrane with opposite longitudinal ends. The tray connectors are secured to the opposite longitudinal with each being secured to one of a pair of adjacent cable tray sections. The flexible membrane allows relative movement between the cable tray sections. The disclosure provides a cable tray assembly including first and second cable tray sections each with a longitudinal end. The cable tray assembly includes a cable tray fitting secured to and disposed between the longitudinal ends of the first and second cable tray sections. The disclosure provides a method of assembling a cable tray assembly by securing a cable tray fitting to opposing and adjacent longitudinal ends of first and second cable tray sections and allowing the cable tray sections to move in three dimensions relative to one another by virtue of the flexible membrane.