Rotatable Feedthrough Assembly for Sealed Cable Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flameproof feedthrough assemblies face challenges when installed in motor housings with limited space, as the electric cables must rotate with the sealing member, making installation and replacement difficult.
Innovation Solution
A feedthrough assembly design where at least one elongated member, such as an electric cable, is immovably sealed to the sealing member, and the feedthrough member is rotatable relative to the sealing member, allowing for easy installation and removal without rotating the elongated members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing member is screwed to the wall, then the feedthrough assembly achieves hermetic sealing, but the electric cables rotate with the sealing member making installation difficult in limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The feedthrough assembly is divided into separate functional components: a sealing member for hermetic sealing and a feedthrough member for cable support. The sealing member can be installed independently on the wall first, then the feedthrough member with cables is attached separately, eliminating the need to rotate cables during wall installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the feedthrough member to be rotatable relative to the sealing member, providing flexibility in cable routing after installation. This dynamic capability enables cable adjustment without requiring rotation during the critical wall mounting phase.
2Reliability
If the electric cables are sealed to the sealing member, then flame transmission is prevented, but the cables cannot be adjusted or replaced easily
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly separates the sealing function from the cable support function. The sealing member maintains the hermetic seal for flame prevention, while the detachable feedthrough member allows cables to be accessed, removed, or replaced without compromising the seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedthrough member can be detached and replaced with a new one when cables need replacement. The original sealing member remains on the wall, maintaining the flame prevention capability while allowing cable system updates.
3Ease of operation
If the feedthrough assembly is designed with a small gap between sealing member and feedthrough member, then rotation is enabled, but sealing precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining member acts as an intermediary between the sealing member and feedthrough member. This component bridges the small gap while maintaining the hermetic seal, allowing rotation capability without compromising sealing precision through the use of flameproof cement or adhesive.
Data Source
AI summary
A feedthrough assembly including a sealing member including a body part having a sealing member aperture, at least one elongated member extending through the sealing member aperture, and a feedthrough member including a body part having a feedthrough aperture extending through the body part, the feedthrough member being adapted to be attached to a wall having a through hole such that the feedthrough aperture and the through hole together provide a passage through the wall. The feedthrough member is adapted to receive the sealing member in the feedthrough aperture to an operative position in which the feedthrough member is rotatable relative to the sealing member, and a gap between an outer surface of the sealing member and a surface of the feedthrough aperture is less than or equal to 250 micrometres.