Multi-Part Conduit Spacers for Underground Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for spacing and holding apart conduits in underground or confined installations for power and communications cables lack effective longitudinal restraint and efficient heat conduction, and are not economical or easy to install.
Innovation Solution
The use of multi-part conduit spacers with transversely-mounted wheels and bores, assembled with fasteners to form a stable structure that securely holds conduits in place, allowing for controlled spacing and efficient grout injection, while accommodating conduits of varying sizes and providing stability against horizontal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional spacers are used for spacing conduits in underground installations, then conduit separation is maintained, but longitudinal restraint and stability against horizontal movement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple arms extending from a central body, with each arm independently engaging a conduit. This segmentation allows the spacer to provide stable spacing while the central body maintains longitudinal restraint, resolving the contradiction between spacing stability and longitudinal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds transverse wheels mounted on the arms, introducing a new dimensional element that prevents horizontal movement of conduits. This dimensional addition transforms the spacer from a simple spacing device into a multi-functional component that provides both spacing stability and longitudinal restraint through the wheel-conduit interaction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If spacers with wheels are used to prevent horizontal movement, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is merged with the spacer arm as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. This merging reduces overall device complexity by eliminating additional fastening mechanisms while maintaining the horizontal movement prevention function, thus resolving the contradiction between stability improvement and structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If multi-part spacers are assembled with fasteners, then ease of installation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener connection points are designed with localized features such as recesses, countersinks, or guiding surfaces that ensure proper alignment and engagement. This local quality enhancement at critical connection points reduces overall assembly tolerance requirements while maintaining ease of installation, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for assembling ducts or conduits with multi-part spacers for underground installation. Sequential loading of conduits to multi-part spacers, as opposed to older methods of end loading, allows construction workers to easily assemble conduits to a plurality of multi-part duct spacers above-ground. The multi-part loading technique allows sequential loading of conduits into portions of spacers, the spacers having bores to accommodate the conduits. The parts or components of the multi-part spacers may themselves cooperate to mount conduits into a conduit bank or bundle. Thus, conduits are assembled or mounted to a first portion of the spacer, followed by mounting a second portion of the spacer and then additional conduits, which may be mounted to either or both of the first and second portions. Once assembled, the banks or bundles may then be secured with banding and wheeled into a protective casing.