Means To Join Bus Ducts Patents (Class 439/213)
  • Patent number: 7449635
    Abstract: A bus joint assembly for use in switchgear equipment having bus bars joined together at a bus joint and for joining vertical and horizontal buses. The bus joint connector comprises a connector, nut plate, connecting and supporting pins as well as a splice bus connector. The bus joint connector with integrated fixture pins locates and supports horizontal buses to vertical buses during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason P. Wiant
  • Publication number: 20080271921
    Abstract: A contact device for providing an electrical contact between a first busbar (3) and a second busbar (4) which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, comprises a holder (2) with two sidewalls (21, 22) which extend substantially parallel. Said sidewalls (21, 22) enclose a slot (23) for receiving the second busbar. The sidewalls (21, 22) comprise an inner surface (211, 221) facing the slot (23) and an outer surface (212, 222). One sidewall (21, 22) is adapted to face the first busbar (3) with its outer surface (212, 222) and to face the second busbar (4) with its inner surface (211,221). Said sidewall (21) comprises a contact element (1) for providing an electrical contact through said sidewall (21) from the inner surface (211) to the outer surface (212).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Multi-Holding AG
    Inventors: Christian Hengel, Frederic Schull, Yannick Nurdin
  • Patent number: 7419386
    Abstract: An electrical junction box that prevents deformation of a casing and breakage of a printed board due to an inserting force of a connector or the like is provided. A printed board is contained in a lower casing member. A bus bar laminated element is contained in the lower casing member above the printed board. An electrical component containing section including juxtaposed connector containing portions is provided on an upper side of an upper casing member above the bus bar laminated element. The upper casing member is mounted on the lower casing member. An upper reinforcement rib extends down from a lowermost stage insulation plate in the bus bar laminated element at a location below the electrical component containing section. The upper reinforcement rib is inserted into a through-hole in the printed board to extend down toward a bottom surface of the lower casing member. A lower reinforcement rib extends up from the bottom surface of the lower casing member to oppose the upper reinforcement rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Washihira
  • Publication number: 20080160812
    Abstract: A molded plastic outlet box for electric busway systems comprising: a molded plastic base comprising a plurality of press-fit tabs for attachment of the base to a housing of the electric busway system disposed about a bottom surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Sandeep P. Bagewadi, Steven E. Richard, Trey Coley, Jeffery Lynn Cox
  • Patent number: 7364449
    Abstract: A joint connector block, which easily meets a demand of a complicated and highly dense joint circuit, is provided. It includes: a block body 2 having a plurality of connector-fitting chambers 7 arranged in a line on one side of the block body and a busbar-receiving part 2b communicating with the connector-fitting chambers on an opposite side of the block body; a plurality of longitudinal busbars 3, each of which includes at least one branch terminal 24 projecting in the connector-fitting chamber and at least one pair of clip terminals 23 situated on the side of the busbar-receiving part; and a plurality of lateral busbars 4, each of which includes at least one branch terminal 26 projecting in the connector-fitting chamber and a connecting part 25 to be connected to the pair of the clip terminals 23 on the side of the busbar-receiving part, the lateral busbar being connected to the longitudinal busbar crossing the longitudinal busbar at right angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Makino
  • Patent number: 7334315
    Abstract: For use in switchgear equipment having channel bus bars joined together at a bus joint, there is provided a method of servicing and maintaining a channel bus splice assembly and method. The channel bus splice assembly comprises switchgear or switchboard equipment having channel bus bars joined together at a bus joint, there is provided a channel bus splice assembly. The channel bus splice assembly comprises an inner splice plate defining a plurality of throughbores. A sliding clamp plate is configured to reciprocally move within the inner splice plate. The sliding clamp plate defines a plurality of access ports. A pair of nut plates is coupled to the sliding clamp plate and having threaded orifices corresponding to selected throughbores in the inner splice plate. An outer splice plate having a plurality of throughbores corresponding to the threaded orifices in the nut plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. Wiant, Harry W. Josten
  • Patent number: 7186125
    Abstract: A conductive path includes a terminal metal piece; and a bus bar overlapped with the terminal metal piece. The terminal piece and the bus bar are bonded while the terminal piece and the bus bar are deformed to form a recess portion on a surface where the terminal metal piece is overlapped with the bus bar by pressing the terminal metal piece and the bus bar with a die in a direction of intersecting with an overlapped face between the terminal metal piece and the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Watanabe, Toshiaki Suzuki, Kazumoto Konda
  • Patent number: 7075021
    Abstract: A multiple-hole terminal lug is for a circuit breaker including a load terminal and a conductive terminal extension coupled thereto. The multiple-hole terminal lug includes a mounting portion and a receiving portion having a plurality of receptacles for electrically coupling a corresponding plurality of electrical cables to the load terminal. Secondary mounting holes in the mounting portion align with primary mounting holes in the terminal extension in order to receive fasteners therein and secure the multiple-hole terminal lug in a first or second mounting configuration sloping upward or downward with respect tot the longitudinal axis of the terminal extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Neal E. Rowe, Michael H. Abrahamsen, Stanley E. Moore, Timothy Fair, Marlyce J. Scott
  • Patent number: 6870103
    Abstract: For use in switchgear equipment having bus bars joined together at a bus joint, there is provided a bus joint cover assembly and method. The bus joint cover assembly comprises a collar member having a snap slot. A cap member having a boss snap is configured to engage the snap slot. The cap member is configured to telescopically join with the collar member around the bus joint wherein the bus joint is contained within the bus joint cover assembly. The bus joint cover assembly can include a side cover member configured to position between the collar member and the cap member. The side cover member can be configured to provide a passage for bus bars and can be configured as a bus end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. Wiant, Harry W. Josten
  • Patent number: 6786749
    Abstract: An electrical connector may be utilized to connect bus bars having a wide variety of configurations to a wide variety of electrical equipment, without modification to the bus bars, electrical equipment, or connector, with the exception of cutting the electrical connector to a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Meiners, Arthur J. Jur, Douglas M. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6677532
    Abstract: An isolated phase bus duct joint assembly couples together first and second phase bus duct sections where each section has an interior bus conductor surrounded by an outer housing. The joint assembly couples end portions of the interior bus conductor and has first and second conductor coupling portions each extending from the end portion of one of the interior bus conductors. Each coupling portion has a reduced outside dimension relative to the interior bus conductors. The joint assembly has a plurality of movable electrical contact fingers mounted by spring loaded adjustment fasteners around the outside surface of the first conductor coupling portion. Each of the fingers extends beyond the first conductor coupling portion for engagement with the outside surface of the second conductor coupling portion. The spring loaded adjustment fastener has a threaded stem passing through the finger and the first inner conductor coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Walter White, Bruce William Mills, Robert Henry Rehder
  • Patent number: 6676424
    Abstract: An apparatus for effecting electrical connection between a power source and equipment includes: (a) a first conductor having a first aperture; (b) a second conductor having a second aperture; (c) an insulator having a connecting bore coaxial with the first and second apertures to establish a bridging passage extending a bridging distance to traverse the first conductor, the insulator and the second conductor when assembled with the first conductor and the second conductor substantially parallel separated by the insulator; and (d) a bridge having an axial length at least equal with the bridging distance and a transaxial dimension less than the passage diameter and having a first engagement structure in the first aperture and a second engagement structure in the second aperture when the bridge is engaged; the bridge is removable from engagement to interrupt electrical connection between the power source and the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics A.G.
    Inventors: Stephen Ferranti, Stephen C. Frazier, Mark A. Haisler, Michael Clyde Steeves
  • Patent number: 6669496
    Abstract: A device for connecting bus bars comprising a body made of conducting material which has three elements which lie along three substantially mutually perpendicular planes, of which: a first flat base element has a first outer side and a second outer side which are arranged in an L-shaped configuration with respect to each other, a third inner side and a fourth inner side being arranged in an L-shaped configuration with respect to each other and being substantially parallel to the corresponding outer sides; a second flat element is arranged along said first outer side of the first element; a third flat element is arranged along said second outer side or along said fourth inner side of the first element, the second flat element and the third flat element having such a length that their minimum relative distances allow the free passage of the bars, said first, second and third flat elements being further provided with a plurality of slots suitable to receive means for connection to the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Fontana, Alessandro Leone
  • Patent number: 6642457
    Abstract: An insulator is specified for an electrical busbar system having at least one rail (5), which is in the form of an integral axially symmetrical body (1) and has a hole (3) along the axis of symmetry (2), with a mounting surface (4), which is vertically at a distance from the hole (3) and extends radially as far as the rim region of the body (1), being provided on each of the end faces of the body (1) with respect to the axis of symmetry (2), in order to make flat contact with a rail (5). Furthermore, an essentially ribbed first surface (6) extends in the radial direction between the hole (3) and the mounting surface (4). Furthermore, an insulator system having at least two insulators is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jochen Rees, Peter Maier
  • Publication number: 20030157822
    Abstract: A modular, electrically conductive bar system comprising of a plurality of elongate bars made of electrically conductive material. Each elongate bar has proximate and distal ends and a plurality of conductor attachment points. First and second mutually mating joining means are respectively provided on the proximate and distal ends of each elongate bar. In operation the proximate end of a first elongate bar can be connected to the distal end of another elongate bar through the corresponding first and second mutually mating means, and/or the distal end of the first elongate bar can be connected to the proximate end of another elongate bar through the corresponding first and second, mutually mating joining means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: FCI AMERICAS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Green, Patrick Wu
  • Publication number: 20030143881
    Abstract: An apparatus for effecting electrical connection between a power source and equipment includes: (a) a first conductor having a first aperture; (b) a second conductor having a second aperture; (c) an insulator having a connecting bore coaxial with the first and second apertures to establish a bridging passage extending a bridging distance to traverse the first conductor, the insulator and the second conductor when assembled with the first conductor and the second conductor substantially parallel separated by the insulator; and (d) a bridge having an axial length at least equal with the bridging distance and a transaxial dimension less than the passage diameter and having a first engagement structure in the first aperture and a second engagement structure in the second aperture when the bridge is engaged; the bridge is removable from engagement to interrupt electrical connection between the power source and the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen Ferranti, Stephen C. Frazier, Mark A. Haisler, Michael Clyde Steeves
  • Patent number: 6549428
    Abstract: A device for supporting and fixing bus-bars in cabinets for switchboards, comprising: a first element, constituted by a body made of insulating material, which has a first side provided with means for direct engagement to a supporting frame and a second side provided with a plurality of first seats for coupling to corresponding bus-bars; a second element, constituted by a body made of insulating material which has a shaped side along which a plurality of second seats are provided for coupling to the bus-bars, the first and second elements being mutually connected in order to geometrically couple the first and second seats and to clamp the bus-bars inside the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Fontana, Alessandro Leone
  • Patent number: 6506068
    Abstract: A kit for a bus bar system for connecting bus bars with connectors of an electric installation device, which avoids the production of special connecting rails, depending on the position of the connecting planes of the bus bars and the connectors of the installation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Rittal Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Wagener
  • Patent number: 6439907
    Abstract: A junction assembly has at least one junction and at least one flexible connector. The junction has at least one channel sized and configured to accept and secure at least a portion of a flexible connector relative to the parallel rings and main lead, and at least one coolant passageway through with a coolant can flow to cool the flexible connectors. The flexible connectors are constructed of conductive wire to provide an electrically conductive path and to provide the junction assembly with flexibility. This junction and channel sizing and configuration provides the junction assembly with a modular capability in that one or more flexible connectors can to be positioned in many different ways within the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Charles M. Rowe
  • Patent number: 6435888
    Abstract: A method and captive splice assembly for electrically and structurally connecting a pair of bus sections. The assembly includes a housing, which holds captive a set of splice bars. The housing has a set of captive nuts, which are engaged by a set of bolts which pass through the splice bars. During installation, the captive splice bars are held fixed in the housing by way of notches in the splice bars and protruding tangs in the housing. After installation, the splice bars are interleaved with the bars of a pair of bus sections, and the bolts compress the splice bars and sections of bus, forming an electrical and structural connection between the pair of bus sections. The housing is fabricated of either a non-magnetic metal or plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Thomas W Reed, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6428335
    Abstract: A laminated bus bar has thereon a male terminal formed either from only two electric strip conductors separated by a layer of insulation, or from two groups of conductors separated by a layer of insulation. When only two conductors are employed, one may be slightly longer and wider than the other, and the terminal section of the one conductor has a marginal edge portion thereof extending beyond the edge of the registering terminal section of the other conductor. Both terminal sections of the two conductors have exposed outer surfaces forming a male terminal disposed to be inserted releasably into a female receptacle of an electric circuit, and a dielectric insulator barrier is secured on and covers the marginal edge portion of the terminal section of the one conductor and overlies the edge of the other terminal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Eldre Corporation
    Inventors: Craig C. Bader, Robert A. Norman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6402570
    Abstract: An automotive lamp unit includes a bus bar unit forming a circuit with a plurality of bus bars connected with each other via a bridge portion, the bus bar unit including terminals, for connection to switches and a power source, and a supporting member for supporting a lamp, the circuit serving to switch on the lamp, and a resin base member provided with the bus bar unit mounted thereon at a predetermined position, and a small hole formed in the resin base member at a position thereof associated with the bridge portion. The plurality of bus bars are separated from each other at the bridge portion which is disposed in the small hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha T AN T
    Inventors: Hisashi Soga, Kouichi Sinzawa
  • Patent number: 6296498
    Abstract: A busbar connector for an electrical busway system is disclosed which includes shunt wires in an insulating housing and opposed spreader springs between the shunt wires that press contacts on the shunt wires against busbars in the busway when tapered screws are advanced between the spreader springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Steven L. Ross
  • Patent number: 6203343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cabling arrangement for motorized vehicles and similar comprising a system for electrical power supply and a system of data transmission via a busbar (1) to which components signals are addressed separately using a multiplexing process. This arrangement has at least one busbar (1) with at least two power conductors (2, 3) for the supply of electrical power to components and at least two conductors (4) used by the busbar data transmission system (1). All the conductors (2,3,4) are in the form of metal strips and are separated one from another by insulating sheet material (5) and assembled in a laminated or “sandwich” structure, each component or a secondary busbar taking off control or power current from the busbar through their respective connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventors: Alain Chevassus-More, Christian Pernot
  • Patent number: 6176720
    Abstract: An electrical bus assembly, having pairs of bus conductors in communication with each other, housed in a housing, for use in an industrial setting. The pairs of bus conductors are themselves used to form a joint without the need of additional apparatus. A first coupling embodiment provides a two-piece clamp having a built-in depression formed therein for applying additional clamping pressure when bolted to the housing surrounding a layered pair of bus conductors. Mylar™ film is provided for insulating the pair of bus conductors from both the housing and other pairs of bus conductors within a bus assembly. The electrical bus assembly is adaptable to a variety of electrical loads, and is reusable. A second coupling embodiment provides a slotted connecting bus conductor, received by a pair of stationary bus conductors housed in a panel box housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Terry M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6176719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for electrically connecting electrical conductors of two adjacent sections of a multi-phase electrical distribution system. The connecting device includes a generally cylindrical body enclosing two ground connectors, two outside insulators and two inside insulators intermediate the outside insulators. Each of the outside and inside insulators includes an equal number of semi-circular shaped electrical connectors which are arranged such that each electrical connector on one of the outside insulators has a corresponding electrical connector on one of the inside insulators thus forming a pocket. Each pocket receives one electrical conductor from each of the two adjacent sections of the electrical distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Patrick Williams, Rodney J. West, Daniel L. Wittmer, Glen S. O'Nan
  • Patent number: 6146169
    Abstract: Electrical power distribution busway joints include opposing plates of conductive and non-conductive materials for connecting between adjoining busway sections. The non-conductive plates comprise glass-filled epoxy laminate sheets having high thermal conductivity, high electrical resistance and good mechanical strength in the presence of excess moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William H. Calder, Gary Douville, Andre M'Sadoques, Joseph Nagy
  • Patent number: 6097117
    Abstract: A connector structure 10 is provided for powering an electric motor 19. The connector structure 10 includes a connector body 12; a low speed terminal 14 in the body; a high speed terminal 16 in the body; and a ground terminal 18 in the body. The ground terminal and the high-speed terminal are constructed and arranged to be coupled directly to the motor. The low speed terminal, the high speed terminal and the ground terminal are constructed and arranged to be coupled to a source of electrical power to power the motor. A resistive element 20 is coupled between the low speed terminal and the high-speed terminal. A shield member 26 houses the resistive element. The shield member is coupled directly to the connector body. Electrical power to the motor may be by controlled by selectively energizing the low speed terminal, the high speed terminal, or both the low speed terminal and high speed terminal so as to operate the motor at two different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: Jan Pivrnec, Andrew Lakerdas, John Van de Vegte
  • Patent number: 5941654
    Abstract: A bus bar panel system utilizes a quick acting and simplified fastening system for making connections. The bus bar is preferably pre-perforated along the edges, although holes may be drilled at the time of fastening. The fastening system uses a stud having threads on one end for receiving the usual washers and nut. On the other end, usually away from the installer, the stud is provided with flats which engage an open slot or yoke on a keeper clip. The clip has a gauge flange to engage the edge of the bar or clamp through which the stud extends. The transverse dimensions of the open slot are related to the flats and the length of the slot to the distance of the perforations from the edge of the bar. The clip also includes a spring section which grabs the end of the stud holding the clip in place so that the installer has both hands free to secure the nut and washers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Chauquet
  • Patent number: 5835341
    Abstract: An electric load center having a neutral bar having an elongated body portion with a trapezoidal shaped cross-sectional area with outwardly sloping downwardly extending side walls having apertures for insertion of electrical wires and a base portion having mounting rails being adapted to form a generally T-shaped slot, and a basepan having a surface with an upwardly extending flexible snap hook for engaging the mounting rail of the T-shaped slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Rhodes, Janerio N. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5811733
    Abstract: A busway elbow fitting for a busway electrical distribution system. The elbow includes a first straight busway section having a housing and a plurality of electrical busbars enclosed within the housing. The first straight section has one standard terminating end and one mitered end wherein the housing and the busbars are cut to a predetermined angle with respect to the first straight section. The elbow also includes a second straight busway section having a housing and a plurality of electrical busbars enclosed within the housing. The second straight section has one standard terminating end and one mitered end wherein the housing and the busbars are cut to a predetermined angle with respect to the second straight section. The mitered ends of the first and second busway sections are complementary such that when the mitered ends are placed in juxtaposed position a desired angle is formed between the first and second busway straight sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Flaig
  • Patent number: 5805414
    Abstract: A neutral tie bar comprised of a unitary member having a center portion and vertically offset laterally extending ends. Disposed between the center portion and each end is a cable lug for a branch neutral cable. Extending between one neutral cable lug and an end is a neutral cable lug for an incoming neutral cable. The neutral tie bar being adapted to be electrically connected to the enclosure of the load center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Feldhaeusser
  • Patent number: 5785542
    Abstract: An electrical bus assembly, having pairs of bus conductors in communication with each other, housed in a housing, for use in an industrial setting. The pairs of bus conductors are themselves used to form a joint without the need of additional apparatus. A first coupling embodiment provides a two-piece clamp having a built-in depression formed therein for applying additional clamping pressure when bolted to the housing surrounding a layered pair of bus conductors. Mylar.TM. film is provided for insulating the pair of bus conductors from both the housing and other pairs of bus conductors within a bus assembly. The electrical bus assembly is adaptable to a variety of electrical loads, and is reusable. A second coupling embodiment provides a slotted connecting bus conductor, received by a pair of stationary bus conductors housed in a panel box housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: QBC, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5783779
    Abstract: A busway construction with a standard elbow section that can be adjusted to a wide range of positions to eliminate the need for specialized elbow sections. This adjustable elbow standard busway section with a full-range rotation is designed to connect to other sections of busway which are at non-standard angles to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Graham, Clarence W. Walker, Louis A. Rosen
  • Patent number: 5760339
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution busway joint is shown and described. The joint is configurable to electrically couple the phase busbars, the neutral busbar(s) and the ground busbars of adjacent busway sections. Each of the phase and neutral busbars from adjacent busway sections are in electrical contact with the inside surfaces of a pair of rectangular connector plates. The connector plates are fabricated from a conductive material to include at least one opening and a spacing tab fabricated from at least a portion of the material removed from the plate to form the hole. The spacing tabs of the plates cooperate to maintain a space between the plates which facilitates insertion of a busbar into the space. The tabs also prevent over-insertion of busbars into the joints which may damage insulating material within the joint. The outside surfaces of the connector plates are each engaged by a rectangular insulator formed from a section of pultruded insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hoyt Faulkner, Ronald David Nordenbrock
  • Patent number: 5749671
    Abstract: A bus bar panel system utilizes a quick acting and simplified fastening system for making connections. The bus bar is preferably pre-perforated along the edges, although holes may be drilled at the time of fastening. The fastening system uses a stud having threads on one end for receiving the usual washers and nut. On the other end, usually away from the installer, the stud is provided with flats which engage an open slot or yoke on a keeper clip. The clip has a gauge flange to engage the edge of the bar or clamp through which the stud extends. The transverse dimensions of the open slot are related to the flats and the length of the slot to the distance of the perforations from the edge of the bar. The clip also includes a spring section which grabs the end of the stud holding the clip in place so that the installer has both hands free to secure the nut and washers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Chauquet
  • Patent number: 5672070
    Abstract: A plug connection for two pairs of busbars is described. A plug connection for two pairs of busbars is provided, with one free end of one pair of the busbars being formed as a plug and a free end of the other pair of the busbars being formed as a socket for receiving the plug and being fitted with a clamping device which allows an adjustable clamping force to be applied to the socket. An electrical connection between the two pairs of busbars is thereby provided in which the rails need not be screwed together, thus considerably simplifying assembly and greatly reducing assembly time as compared to known connection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Weiss
  • Patent number: 5655922
    Abstract: In this modular control assembly, individual bus conductor segments are integrated in modular, alignable housing blocks. The bus conductor segments have strip conductors on the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The bus conductor segments of mutually adjoining housing blocks are electrically connected by separating slide contact members. The contact members comprise a closed housing containing upper and lower contact springs for engaging the strip conductors of the bus conductor segment. The slide contact members can be pushed between an extended position in which they grasp the mutually facing ends of bus conductor segments (8) of neighboring housing blocks and a retracted position in which only one bus conductor segment is covered by the slide contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Weidmuller Interface GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Dux, Walter Hanning, Uwe Fiene, Michael Schnatwinkel, Rudolf Steinmeier, Manfred Wilmes, Christian Hamann, Thomas Hettwer, Christoph Zebermann, Hans-Georg Glathe
  • Patent number: 5401906
    Abstract: This present invention provides an inexpensive and easily installed supplementary joint cover system for preventing dripping or splashing water from entering the joint between two adjacent sections of electrical busway. Each busway section includes a housing having an enclosure for surrounding and protecting a plurality of electrical conductors. A pair of housing sides are attached to and spaced apart by the enclosure such that two generally U-shaped troughs are formed. The joint cover system includes four dam assemblies, four sealing strips, two cover plates, two inspection hole plugs, and two connecting channels. Each of the two adjacent busway sections requires two dam assemblies to seal the busway housing at the joint. The dam assemblies form a water resistant block in the troughs formed by the busway housing. The sealing strips are placed across the dam assemblies and provide a seal for the cover plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Aubrey Bryant
  • Patent number: 5261830
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical connection device comprising conductive bars of electrical conduits and further comprising, on the one hand, conductive splicing pads each joining ends of the conductive bars aligned end to end and, on the other hand, insulating splice elements that are inserted between the conductive bars so as to insulate them. The stack made of the inserted insulating elements and of the splicing pads on the conductive bar ends is tightened by a common bolt-type tightening element that goes through them. Further, at least one of the splicing pads comprises at least one separable part so that this separable splicing pad part can be removed and replaced with a branch output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Telemecanique
    Inventors: Gerard Jego, Jean-Yves Teinturier, Jean-Pierre Thierry
  • Patent number: 5162616
    Abstract: A bus bar assembly including an elongated insulative base member and a plurality of modular insulative unit pieces attached to the base member and having contact receiving openings, conductive bus bars in an enclosed region defined by the base member and unit pieces, contact pins of the bus bar extending upward into insulative tubular members extending downward from and centered within the openings, insulative fins supporting the bus bars above a bottom wall of the base member, an insulative divider wall between adjacent bus bars extending upward from the bottom wall, mounting holes in the upper and lower walls, and an insulative shield between the region between mounting holes and the bus bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Precision Connector Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Swaffield, Kurt C. Hetzel
  • Patent number: 5151043
    Abstract: A busway of the type having a plurality of power bus elements inside a grounded housing and a ground conductor conductively fixed to the housing is provided with a ground bus element which is insulated from the housing for connection as an isolated ground for equipment which is to be protected from spurious power surges in the ground conductor of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5144530
    Abstract: A power distributor device is disclosed for electric installations, comprising, for housing a set of power bars, an insulating case formed preferably of several interlockable modules. A member, for example an end-piece in the form of a lyre is associated with a zone for fixing the case on a support allowing expansion between the case and the support. An upstream connection box may be assembled to the case and comprise a zone for fixing to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Telemecanique
    Inventors: Jacques Cohen, Daniel Nourry, Jean-Pierre Thierry
  • Patent number: 5122072
    Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting a plurality of electrical conductors of a first busway section to a plurality of electrical conductors of a second busway section. The electrical connection is accomplished by a plurality of pairs of electrical joint connectors, each pair having an independently operable rotational clamping mechanism for clamping that pair of joint connectors tightly to corresponding electrical conductors of the first and second busway sections. An activating cap is used to manually rotate the clamping mechanism between a first and second position. In the first position the pairs of joint connectors are clamped tightly to the busway conductors. In the second position the pairs of joint connectors are loosened permitting an easy insertion or removal of the busway conductors. The pairs of joint connectors of opposite polarity are separated from each other by a phase insulator. Phase insulators also separate the electrical phases from a protective enclosure surrounding the busway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Gary D. Arn, Gilbert A. McGoldrick, Glenn S. O'Nan, Lisa C. Simmering
  • Patent number: 5011421
    Abstract: A plane change connector assembly is provided which connects electrical busbars which are in different planes. The assembly includes a connector which has at least one coupling flange cantilevered from one side of a planar joining member. A second coupling flange is cantilevered from the other side of the planar joining member in a different plane from the first coupling flange and preferably, in a plane at a right angle to the plane of the first coupling flange. The connector can be used as part of an assembly for connecting multiphase systems having multiple co-planar busbars for each phase. In this preferred form, the connector is provided with multiple coupling flanges, and a connector is associated with each phase of the system. The co-planar busbars for each phase are connected with plates which in turn engage the first coupling flanges of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Duke, Barry R. Richards
  • Patent number: 4981449
    Abstract: An electrical connector 10 for mating two blade-shaped members, each having opposed first and second sides and an edge-proximate portion extending outwardly intermediate the first and second sides thereof includes first and second opposed dielectric housing members 14,14; first and second outer terminal elements 50,70 secured to the inner major surface of each of the first and second housing members 14,14 defining associated pairs of opposed spaced first and second outer terminal elements 50,70; a pair of opposed inner terminal elements 86 disposed between respective and electrically isolated from first and second outer elements 50,70; means 38 securing the pair of opposed inner terminal elements 86 to and between the first and second housing members 14,14; and means 46 securing the first and second housing members 14,14 together. Each outer and inner terminal element 50,70,86 includes respective arrays of contact arms extending outwardly from opposed edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Randolph L. Buchter
  • Patent number: 4979906
    Abstract: A housing for enclosing a weatherproof busway joint. The housing includes a pair of end pieces which are attached to and sealed to a busway enclosure near the joint. The busway enclosure houses, supports, and protects a plurality of electrical conductors enclosed therein and extends through an opening about in the center of the end piece. A pair of joint covers enclose the joint area between the two end pieces. A material which forms the sealing medium between the end pieces and the busway enclosures and between the joint covers and the end pieces. The weatherproof joint covers are placed between the end pieces of two adjoining busway sections such that the joint area is completely enclosed and sealed by the end piece and joint covers to prevent the ingress of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Larry T. Shrout, Allan E. Slicer
  • Patent number: 4950841
    Abstract: An electric power bus removable joint includes three spacer-connectors that automatically align the intervening splice plates and insulative plates used to electrically connect between adjoining busway sections. The spacer-connectors automatically attach between the opposing joint face plates without requiring any additional fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clarence W. Walker, David A. Hibbert
  • Patent number: 4945188
    Abstract: A bus bar and duct combination as is disclosed comprising a plurality of bus bars encased and held, at a central part between end joint parts of the bus bars, within a metal duct such that the bus bars, the duct and electrical insulation members are in intimate contact to provide heat transfer from the bus bars to the duct by way of conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Cableware Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Raymond T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4886940
    Abstract: A bus duct joint comprising a plurality of conductive links for joining the buses, a plurality of intervening insulators and a single pressure providing bolt passing through the links and the insulators and between the ends of the buses being joined to provide substantially uniform pressure on the surfaces of the buses. The intervening insulators align and retain the conductive links and locate the joint with respect to the buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Gagnon, Claude Gelineau, Pierre Raymond, Zygmunt P. Krzelowski, George Galletly