Split Conduit Body Segmentation for Repair Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonmetallic rigid conduits are prone to damage during construction, leading to potential leaks and equipment downtime due to the need for replacing damaged conduit bodies, which involves labor-intensive procedures like shutting down electricity and pulling out wiring.
Innovation Solution
A split conduit body design comprising a top and bottom half with semicircular hubs that form a circular cross-section when assembled, allowing for easy repair and installation without disturbing the wiring, using PVC cement for a leak-proof joint and incorporating gaskets for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece conduit body is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but repair requires shutting down electricity and pulling out wiring which increases downtime and labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit body is divided into two separate halves (first body and second body) that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows the conduit body to be opened for repair without disturbing the wiring inside, eliminating the need to pull out wires or shut down electricity during repair operations.
2Strength
If a single-piece conduit body is used, then the structure is robust, but damage requires complete replacement which increases loss of time and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the conduit body into two replaceable halves, the design allows only the damaged half to be replaced while the other half remains in place with the wiring intact. This significantly reduces repair time and maintains productivity compared to replacing the entire conduit body.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the undamaged half of the conduit body to be recovered and reused, while only the damaged half is discarded and replaced. This reduces material waste and decreases repair time and costs.
3Ease of repair
If a split conduit body design is used, then repair ease is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit body is segmented into two halves that connect through complementary hubs and coupling surfaces. This segmentation provides ease of repair while the connection mechanisms ensure structural integrity and simplicity of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The two halves of the conduit body are designed to merge together through complementary hubs and coupling surfaces, creating a unified structure that functions as a single conduit body while maintaining the advantage of being separable for repair.
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
Facilitates quick and efficient repair of damaged conduit systems, reducing downtime and labor costs by enabling easy replacement and splicing of wiring, while maintaining a secure and leak-free connection.
Implementation Method 1
PVC cement can be applied to the conduit ends. The conduit ends can then be placed on a partial hub of a top or bottom half of the split conduit body
Implementation Method 2
incorporating gaskets for sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit body is provided. The conduit body includes a first body of the conduit body including a first coupling surface, a first hub configured to receive a further conduit on a first side of the conduit body, and a first port on the first side of the conduit body; and a second body of the conduit body including a second coupling surface, a second hub complimentary to the first hub configured to receive the further conduit on the first side of the conduit body, and a second port on the first side of the conduit body complimentary to the first port. The first hub is configured to couple to the second hub, and the first coupling surface is configured to couple to the second coupling surface to such that the first body is coupled to the second body.