Elastomeric Bushing Assembly for Sealed Metal Conduit Raceways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing raceway assemblies in electrical systems face issues with corrosion due to gaps between conduits and fittings, leading to safety concerns, maintenance difficulties, and increased costs, as standard O-rings and patching methods are inadequate for sealing these gaps.
Innovation Solution
A bushing assembly with a flared elastomeric sleeve is used to couple conduits and fittings of different sizes, providing a seal that prevents corrosive substances from entering the raceway, while maintaining electrical conductivity and grounding functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard O-rings and patching methods are used to seal gaps between conduits and fittings, then sealing is attempted, but they are inadequate and corrosion still occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bushing assembly as an intermediary component between the conduit and fitting. This bushing includes a flared elastomeric sleeve that physically fills and seals the gap between the conduit outer surface and the fitting inner surface, preventing corrosive substances from reaching the metal surfaces. The bushing acts as a mediator that eliminates direct contact between corrosive environments and the metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing assembly utilizes composite construction combining metal components (bushing body, threads) with elastomeric material (flared sleeve). This composite structure provides both mechanical strength for structural integrity and sealing capability through the elastomeric material's flexibility and conformability to the gap geometry, achieving effective corrosion protection.
2Ease of operation
If gaps between conduits and fittings are left unsealed, then installation is simpler, but corrosive substances enter the raceway causing safety concerns and maintenance difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: mechanical coupling between different sized conduit and fitting, sealing of the gap to prevent corrosion, and maintenance of electrical conductivity. By combining these functions, the design achieves reliable corrosion protection without significantly complicating the installation process, as the bushing is designed for straightforward installation.
3Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is added to prevent corrosion, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing assembly is designed as a universal component that handles multiple requirements simultaneously: it accommodates different conduit and fitting sizes through standardized threading, provides sealing through the elastomeric sleeve, maintains electrical continuity, and simplifies installation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving reliable corrosion protection.
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 bushing assembly effectively seals the raceway, reducing corrosion, enhancing safety, and simplifying installation and maintenance, thereby extending the life of the electrical system and minimizing labor and material costs.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve is fabricated with an elastomeric material. The sleeve body is sized to receive the conduit therein and shaped to conform with the conduit.
Data Source
AI summary
A bushing assembly for fabricating a metal conduit raceway of an electrical system is provided. The bushing assembly includes a bushing sized to be received in a fitting at the first bushing end and sized to receive a rigid or intermediate metal conduit at the second bushing end. The bushing assembly also includes a sleeve including a flared end and a sleeve body. The sleeve is coupled with the bushing with the sleeve body covering at least the second bushing end and extending longitudinally away from the second bushing end. The flared end extends radially outward and in a direction toward the first bushing end. The sleeve is fabricated with an elastomeric material. The sleeve body is sized to receive the conduit therein and shaped to conform with the conduit. The bushing assembly is configured to provide sealing of the raceway.