Methods and systems for coupling busway components
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsSteven English Richard, Mariusz Duda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical power distribution system is described. The system includes a ground busbar including a first opening defined therein and a busway housing including a second opening defined therein. The system also includes a fastener sealing system that includes a fastener and at least one seal. The fastener is configured to extend through the first opening and the second opening and to couple the ground busbar to the busway housing. The ground busbar contacts the busway housing, forming a ground connection therebetween.
Claims17
An electrical power distribution system comprising:
- a ground busbar including a first opening defined therein;
- at least one first busbar;
- a busway housing including a second opening defined therein, said at least one first busbar positioned at least partially within an interior defined by said busway housing;
- and
- a fastener sealing system comprising a fastener, a spacing device, and at least one seal, said fastener comprising a restraining portion and a fastener body configured to extend through said first opening and said second opening, said spacing device positioned between said restraining portion and said at least one seal, said fastener configured to couple said ground busbar to said busway housing, said ground busbar contacting said busway housing and forming a ground connection therebetween, said spacing device comprising a compression spacer configured to compress said at least one seal and maintain the ground connection between said ground busbar and said busway housing, and said spacing device and said at least one seal positioned exterior to said busway housing.
A tiebolt sealing system for coupling a ground busbar and a busway housing, the ground busbar and the busway housing each comprising an opening defined therein, said system comprising:
- a fastener comprising a body and a restraining portion, said fastener body configured to extend through the openings defined within the ground busbar and the busway housing;
- at least one first busbar positioned at least partially within an interior defined by the busway housing;
- at least one seal configured to extend at least partially around said fastener body and to be positioned at least partially within the opening defined within the ground busbar, said at least one seal configured to seal the opening defined within the busway housing;
- and
- at least one spacing device positioned between said restraining portion and said at least one seal, said spacing device comprising a compression spacer configured to compress said at least one seal and maintain contact between the ground busbar and the busway housing, and said spacing device and said at least one seal positioned exterior to the busway housing.
A method for coupling a ground busbar to a busway housing, the ground busbar including a first opening defined therein by a first edge and the busway housing including a second opening defined therein by a second edge, said method comprising:
- configuring the ground busbar and the busway housing such that the first opening and the second opening align to define a single fastener opening and the ground busbar contacts the busway housing, providing an electrical ground connection therebetween;
- configuring at least one first busbar and the busway housing such that the at least one first busbar is positioned at least partially within an interior defined by the busway housing;
- configuring a fastener sealing system to maintain contact between the ground busbar and the busway housing, the fastener sealing system including at least one seal and a fastener including a restraining portion, the fastener configured to extend through the fastener opening and the at least one seal configured to prevent contaminants from passing through the fastener opening;
- and
- configuring at least one spacing device for positioning between the restraining portion and the at least one seal, the spacing device including a compression spacer configured to compress the at least one seal and maintain contact between the ground busbar and the busway housing, and the spacing device and the at least one seal positioned exterior to the busway housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.