SHIELDED WIREWAY SYSTEMS
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a duct for a shielded wireway system. The duct includes a bottom wall, two sidewalls extending from the bottom wall, and a plurality of fingers extending from each of the sidewalls. Adjacent fingers are connected by at least one bridging component. The bottom wall, the sidewalls, and a portion of the fingers, including the bridging component, are shielded.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/323,318, filed Dec. 12, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/424,740, filed Dec. 20, 2010, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to wireway systems, and more particularly, shielded wireway systems.
Unshielded wireway systems are typically made of plastic, which is relatively inexpensive and lightweight compared to metal. However, plastic is not conductive, and therefore, does not dissipate electrical noise effectively. Additionally, unshielded wireway systems typically have slotted walls, which further limit their ability to dissipate electrical noise effectively. Consequently, wires routed through unshielded wireway systems, for example, in industrial control systems, are susceptible to electrical noise generated by wires and other electrical components, such as variable frequency drives, power supplies, and high speed counters, in close proximity to the unshielded wireway systems.
Conversely, shielded wireway systems are typically made of metal, which is conductive, and therefore, dissipates electrical noise effectively. However, metal is relatively expensive and weighty compared to plastic. Additionally, shielded wireway systems typically have solid walls, which limit their accessibility.
Therefore, there is a need for shielded wireway systems that are inexpensive, lightweight, and accessible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONCertain embodiments of the present invention provide a duct for a shielded wireway system. The duct includes a bottom wall, two sidewalls extending from the bottom wall, and a plurality of fingers extending from each of the sidewalls. Adjacent fingers are connected by at least one bridging component. The bottom wall, the sidewalls, and a portion of the fingers, including the bridging component, are shielded.
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As described above, the duct 110 may be perforated or scored (e.g., notches 115A, 115B, and 115C) for tool-less removal of the sidewalls 112, the fingers 113, and/or the bridging components 114.
Preferably, the duct 110, or at least a portion of the duct 110, is shielded. For example, as shown in
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The sidewalls 122 include a latch 123, preferably disposed at a distal end thereof, for securing the cover 120 to the duct 110. The latch 123 engages the corresponding latch 118 on the fingers 113 of the duct 110.
Preferably, the cover 120 is not shielded (
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The bottom wall 210 includes a plurality of mounting openings 211 for mounting the shielded divider wall 200 to a support structure, such as a wireway system or an industrial control system. For example, as shown in
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Each of the wall sections 221 includes a plurality of cable-tie openings 224. Preferably, the cable-tie openings 224 are offset from the bridging components 222 so as to maintain a conductive path between adjacent wall sections 221.
Preferably, the shielded divider wall 200 is made of metal, such as steel, or other conductive materials, but it is likewise contemplated that the shielded divider wall 200 is made of plastic, such as polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), or other non-conductive materials that are combined with metal, such as aluminum, copper, and nickel, or other conductive materials, as described above.
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While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements, whether known or presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A divider for a shielded wireway system, the divider comprising:
- a bottom wall; and
- a plurality of sidewall sections extending from the bottom wall; and
- a plurality of bridging components connecting adjacent sidewall sections,
- wherein the bottom wall and at least a portion of each of the sidewall sections, including the bridging components, are shielded.
2. The divider of claim 1, wherein the sidewall sections extend along a longitudinal edge of the bottom wall.
3. The divider of claim 1, wherein the sidewall sections are perpendicular to the bottom wall.
4. The divider of claim 1, wherein the adjacent sidewall sections are separated by at least one slot.
5. The divider of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall and the sidewall sections form a channel for routing wires.
6. The divider of claim 1, wherein the divider is L-shaped.
7. The divider of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall and the at least a portion of each of the sidewall sections, including the bridging components, are metal.
8. The divider wall of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall includes a plurality of mounting openings.
9. The divider wall of claim 1, wherein each of the sidewall sections includes a plurality of cable pass-through openings.
10. A duct for a shielded wireway system, the duct comprising:
- a bottom wall;
- two sidewalls extending from the bottom wall to a sidewall height;
- a plurality of fingers extending from each of the sidewalls to a finger height; and
- a plurality of bridging components connecting adjacent fingers,
- wherein the finger height is greater than the sidewall height, and
- wherein the bottom wall, the sidewalls, and at least a portion of the fingers, including the bridging components, are shielded.
11. A duct for a shielded wireway system, the duct comprising:
- a bottom wall;
- two sidewalls extending from the bottom wall to a sidewall height; and
- a plurality of fingers extending from each of the sidewalls to a finger height,
- wherein the sidewall height is greater than the finger height, and
- wherein the bottom wall and the sidewalls are shielded.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 10, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 10, 2014
Applicant: Panduit Corp. (Tinley Park, IL)
Inventors: Michael D. Asztalos (Orland Park, IL), Rami A. Mishal (Plainfield, IL), Masud Bolouri-Saransar (Orland Park, IL), Ronald A. Nordin (Naperville, IL)
Application Number: 14/202,806
International Classification: H05K 9/00 (20060101); H02G 3/04 (20060101);