CHAMBER

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure pertains generally to electrical conduit systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] Electrical conduit systems are used in many settings, but are particularly suited to industrial settings (e.g., manufacturing facilities, factories, refineries, offshore oil rigs). Commercial real estate setting, such as office buildings, may also use electrical conduit systems for safety. In many cases, building codes or other health and safety codes (e.g., the United States National Electrical Code) require their use. The system typically includes electrical conduit, comprising tubular which may be made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), plastic, composite and the like. The conduit houses the wiring of an electrical system as the wiring runs throughout an industrial facility or other location. The wiring may be a bundle of single conductors wherein each conductor is covered with an individual insulating barrier (i.e., dielectric barrier). One or more additional insulating layers may surround one or more bundles. The conduit system may be fluid-tight.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Aspects of the disclosure include a conduit body apparatus for use in an electrical conduit system comprising a plurality of conduit tubular segments and configured for installation at a substantially perpendicular intersection between a first structural member and a second structural member The apparatus may include a conduit body comprising: a first planar wall configured to be substantially parallel to the first structural member upon installation; a second planar wall configured to be substantially parallel to the second member of the two structural members upon installation; a third wall extending between the first planar wall and the second planar wall. The conduit body may define at least one port configured to receive an end of a conduit tubular segment of the plurality; and a wiring chamber maintaining communication between the port and an opening in the third wall.

[0004] The conduit body may define a plurality of ports each configured to receive an end of a respective conduit tubular segment of the plurality; and the wiring chamber may maintain communication between the plurality of ports to allow wiring to pass through the conduit body, the wiring chamber having an opening in the third wall. [0005] The first flush fit planar surface may lie in a first plane; the second flush fit planar surface may lie in a second plane, and the plurality of ports may comprise i) a first port opposite of the first plane and having a direction of entry oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plane; and ii) a second port opposite of the second plane and having a direction of entry oriented substantially perpendicular to the second plane.

[0006] The plurality of ports may include an additional port having a direction of entry oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of entry of the first port and the direction of entry of the second port.

[0007] The opening may have a direction of entry at an angle of inclination with respect to each of the first plane and the second plane of at least 20 degrees. The two structural members may include walls forming an interior corner at the intersection. The apparatus may include a top and a bottom. The first flush fit planar surface, the second flush fit planar surface, and the third surface may each be disposed below the top and above the bottom.

[0008] The apparatus may include a first mounting bracket configured to secure the first flush fit planar surface to the first member. The apparatus may include a second mounting bracket configured to secure the second flush fit planar surface to the second member. The third surface may comprise a hatch mounting flange adjacent the opening. The first flush fit planar surface may lie in a first plane; the second flush fit planar surface may lie in a second plane; and the hatch mounting flange may be non-parallel with the first plane and the second plane. [0009] The first plane and the second plane may intersect at a first intersect line; the second plane and the third plane may intersect at a second intersect line; the first plane and the third plane may intersect at a third intersect line; and each of the first intersect line, the second intersect line, and the third intersect line may be substantially parallel with the remaining intersect lines. Adjacent the opening, the third wall may have an angle of inclination of at least 15 degrees with respect to each of the first wall and the second wall.

[0010] Examples of certain features of the disclosure have been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the contributions they represent to the art may be appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] For a detailed understanding of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have been given like numerals, wherein:

FIGS. 1A & IB illustrate conduit bodies illustrative of conventional design.

FIG. 1C illustrates an industrial conduit system.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate a corner mount conduit pass-through body in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an industrial conduit system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a corner mount termination conduit body in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates another industrial conduit system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In aspects, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for providing enhanced access to wiring in electrical conduit systems mounted to structures. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate wiring operations electrically linking wiring residing in a horizontal line of conduit at a corner of the structure to an apparatus or terminal which may be vertically displaced from the line of conduit. Illustrative systems according to this disclosure employ techniques that provide superior stability in corner mounting while allowing access in a beneficial direction of entry to enable wiring personnel (e.g., an electrician) to efficiently carry out the wiring operations. The teachings may be advantageously applied to a variety of conduit systems in the oil and gas industry, chemical industry, manufacturing, and elsewhere. Merely for clarity, certain non-limiting embodiments will be discussed below.

[0013] Exposed wiring is susceptible to environmental hazards, such as moisture and damage from contact. Known electrical conduit systems have a passage interior to the tubular conduit running to desired wiring locations. The electrical conduit system protects the wiring and minimizes dangers from the wiring to people, animals, or equipment.

[0014] Traditional electrical conduit systems include standardized components, such as conduit, connectors, couplings, and fitting bodies. A fitting body is an apparatus with a housing configured to define i) at least one port configured to receive an end of a respective conduit tubular segment, and ii) an opening configured to provide access sufficient to allow wiring interior to the housing. The fitting body may be configured to provide an enclosed, and possibly fluid tight, wiring chamber.

[0015] Historically, fitting bodies have at least one conduit port. These conduit ports are configured to receive the wiring of an electrical conduit system and facilitate connection of conduit tubular protecting (e.g., encircling) the wiring. For example, the ports may be configured to receive an end of a conduit tubular segment, a connector used to adapt the conduit tubular to the port, and so on. As one example, both the conduit tubular and the conduit port may each have complementary threaded surfaces for threaded engagement.

[0016] One type of fitting body is a termination box, which may be outfitted with a switch, socket, other terminal, and so on. Another type of fitting body is a conduit pass-through body. A conduit pass-through body is an apparatus configured to connect sections of conduit and provide pulling access in a run of conduit as well as at least one of the following: i) redirection of the conduit path, and ii) splitting of the conduit path. Example conduit pass-through bodies include T-fittings (or ‘tee’ fittings), and L-fittings (or ‘elf fittings).

[0017] A passage between a first port of the plurality of ports and a second port of the plurality of ports allows wiring to pass through the conduit pass-through body.

[0018] In some instances, a version of the conventional conduit pass-through body may be configured to allow access to the passage via an opening (e.g., a hatch) having a direction of entry orthogonal to (and in some cases opposite to) the direction of entry of the conduit ports. European Patent application EP0103414 “Junction pieces for electric conduit” to Gilflex-Key Limited and United Kingdom application GB 190623944 “Improvements in Electrical Conduit and Junction Box Fittings” to Hirst et al contain examples illustrative of the prior art.

[0019] In conventional use, segments of conduit tubular are typically attached to or otherwise aligned with a length of wall, or a pre-existing longitudinal member such as catwalk, railing, or the like. As one example, the conduit path may run along a catwalk or other structure to provide electricity for raised lighting which may illuminate the catwalk or other structure. In many cases, the conduit path must be installed while accommodating existing structural, architectural, or infrastructure elements. Building, wiring, and health and safety codes, as well as best practices, dictate that electrical conduit components abut these structures. In many cases, the configuration of conventional conduit bodies is not well suited for these applications.

[0020] FIGS. 1A & IB illustrate conduit bodies 11 and 21, respectively, illustrative of conventional design. Referring to FIGS. 1A & IB, for a conduit pass- through body connecting conduit tubular installed in the alignment described above, the direction of entry 2, 4, 6, 14, 16 of each port is aligned with the plane of the wall.

[0021] In industrial settings, a conduit system comprising segments of conduit tubular joined by conduit bodies may run horizontally along a wall or catwalk. Often this horizontal conduit path is located remote from chest and eye level of personnel that may be in the setting, e.g., at the bottom end of a wall. Devices to be electrically connected to the horizontal run of conduit (such as, for example, lighting fixtures, machinery, displays, outlets, switches, and the like) are typically located between the bottom and top of a wall, such as, for example, substantially at eye level, shoulder level, or the like for personnel of average height interacting with the device, and are thus remotely located from the horizontal conduit path. T-fittings are often used to split off a horizontal conduit path to form a vertical conduit path for wiring running to the device for electrical connection. [0022] FIG. 1C illustrates an industrial conduit system. Conduit system 100 comprises a number of conduit segments 103 joined by fittings and housing wiring (not shown) connecting electrical devices such as switches, lighting fixtures, junction boxes, and so on. Conduit segments may have industry standard diameters, such as, for example, a diameter of 0.5 inches to 3 inches. L-fitting (or ‘elf fitting) 106 provides a 90 degree horizontal turn to allow the system 100 to follow wall 150 at a corner. L-fitting 110 provides a 90 degree vertical turn to allow the system to run at the upper end 152 of wall 150, for example, in order to avoid railing.

[0023] T-fitting 104 allows electrical connection of a light fixture 102 to the horizontal run 105 of conduit via an offshoot conduit segment 107 which extends upward vertically from horizontal run 105 to the fixture 102. Similarly, T-fitting 112 allows electrical connection of a switch 108 to the horizontal run 109 of conduit at the lower end 154 of the wall 150 via an offshoot conduit segment 111 which runs vertically to the switch 108. T-fitting 112 also connects to each of a first conduit segment 157 and a second conduit segment 159 of horizontal run 109. T-fitting 122 allows electrical connection of switch 114 to the horizontal run 113 of conduit at the upper end of the wall via conduit segment 115 extending vertically downward from horizontal run 113. Switch 114 is substantially at eye level (or shoulder level) for personnel on the ground floor, and switch 108 is substantially at eye level for personnel on the upper floor. Junction box 180 distributes mains power to various circuits 161, 163 and provides safety measures such as circuit breakers.

[0024] Aspects of the present disclosure may be especially beneficial for use in an electrical conduit system comprising a plurality of conduit tubular segments installed around existing infrastructure. In particular, a conduit pass-through body as described herein may be configured for installation at a substantially perpendicular intersection between a first structural member and a second structural member. The conduit pass through body may provide increased stability for a mounted fitting while being ergonomically advantageous for workers in the vicinity. Traditional T-Fittings include a body forming a passage with opposing ports on opposing sides for pass-through wiring. This design leads to difficulties in mounting and an unstable installation. Further, the area behind the installed T-Fitting is unusable. A traditional gang box, by contrast, is ergonomically deficient and may contribute to workplace injuries. Further, both types of fitting are inconvenient to wire, as orienting the ports in the necessary direction places the hatch in an orientation that cannot be easily accessed, particularly when restricted by existing infrastructure.

[0025] The conduit pass-through body of the present disclosure may be configured to connect two orthogonally oriented horizontal segments of conduit tubular (such as, for example, two segments of horizontally run conduit intersecting a corner) as well as a third segment of conduit tubular oriented with a longitudinal axis at 90 degrees from the longitudinal axes of each of the other segments (e.g., the ascending or descending segment). The conduit pass through body may define a plurality of ports. Each port may be configured to receive an end of a respective conduit tubular segment of the plurality of conduit tubular segments. One type of conduit pass-through body anticipated in the present disclosure is a Ferris box (e.g., an FS or FD junction box).

[0026] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate a corner mount conduit pass-through body in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The shape of conduit pass- through body 200 approximates a triangular prism. Conduit pass-through body 200 includes a first planar wall 202 and a second planar wall 204. A third wall 206 extends between the first planar wall 202 and the second planar wall 204. The third wall 206 is made up of wall segments 206a, 206b, 206c, with a bend between adjoining segments. The third wall 206 may have more or fewer segments, or be unbent, or may have one or more portions made up of smoothly curving or irregular surfaces. In some embodiments, the first and second walls may also include a plurality of segments. Conduit pass-through body 200 includes a top 220 and a bottom 222. The first planar surface, the second planar surface, and the third surface are each disposed below the top 220 and above the bottom 222.

[0027] The conduit pass-through body 200 defines a plurality of ports 205, 207,

209, 211 each configured to receive a respective end of one of conduit tubular segments, such as, for example, first conduit segment 357 and second conduit segment 359, as shown in FIG. 3. A passage 210 between a first port 205 of the plurality of ports and a second port 207 of the plurality of ports allows wiring to pass through the conduit pass through body 200. The first planar surface may lie in a first plane; the second flush fit planar surface may lie in a second plane. A first port 207 opposite of the first plane may have a direction of entry oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plane. A second port 205 opposite of the second plane may have a direction of entry oriented substantially perpendicular to the second plane. Additional port 209 has a direction of entry oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of entry of the first port and the direction of entry of the second port. The conduit pass-through body 200 further defines a wiring chamber 212 in communication with the passage. The wiring chamber also fluidly communicates with additional port 207 which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the passage 203 (e.g., the central axis of the port 207 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the passage 203). The wiring chamber may be substantially a triangular prism in shape.

[0028] An electrical conduit system may be installed in a variety of settings, such as refineries, chemical plants, warehouses, power production facilities, manufacturing facilities, and so on. Conventionally, segments of conduit tubular are attached to pre existing infrastructure for these settings, including structural members such as walls, catwalk, railing, and so on. As one example, the conduit path may run along a catwalk or other structure to provide electricity for raised lighting which may illuminate the catwalk or other structure. In many cases, the conduit path must be installed while accommodating the components of the pre-existing infrastructure. One feature found in existing infrastructure is an inside corner formed by structural members.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an industrial conduit system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrical conduit system 300 includes a plurality of conduit tubular segments 357, 359. The electrical conduit system 300 is configured for installation at a substantially perpendicular intersection between a first structural member 302 and a second structural member 304 of the infrastructure 303. The two structural members 302, 304 are walls forming an interior corner at the intersection. As described in greater detail above, conduit pass-through body 200 includes a first planar wall and a second planar wall. The first planar wall may be configured, upon installation, to be substantially parallel to the first structural member. The second planar wall may be configured, upon installation, to be substantially parallel to the second structural member.

[0030] The planar walls 202, 204 are configured to be “flush fit” with the corresponding structural member. The conduit pass-through body 200 includes a first upper mounting bracket 230 configured to secure the first planar wall substantially parallel to the first structural member, and abutting the first structural member, and a second upper mounting bracket 232 configured to secure the second planar wall substantially parallel to the second structural member, and abutting the second structural member. Alternative designs may be configured to achieve a standoff between one or both of the planar walls and the corresponding structural member through the use of offset surfaces or members (e.g., legs, brackets, and so on). The conduit pass-through body 200 also includes a first lower mounting bracket 234 and a second lower mounting bracket 236 for attachment of the conduit pass-through body 200 to the respective structural members 302, 304 during installation. Installing the conduit pass-through body 200 entails insertion of a bolt or screw through the mounting aperture 235 of the respective mounting bracket. Interior access mounting bracket 277 provides a third point of attachment proximate the intersection of the planar walls.

[0031] Each of the plurality of ports is configured to receive an end of a respective conduit tubular segment to establish communication between the respective conduit tubular segment and the interior of the conduit pass-through body 200. The configuration of the conduit pass-through body 200 is such that communication is maintained between the plurality of ports, and thus, upon installation of the conduit pass through body 200, between the conduit tubular segments 357, 359 connected to the conduit pass-through body 200.

[0032] Referring back to FIGS. 2A-2D, the wiring chamber 212 has an opening

214 in the third wall 206 defined by the conduit pass-through body 200. The opening is configured to enable manipulation of wiring within the chamber. The opening 214 may be several times larger (e.g., 2-5 times larger) in at least one dimension than the effective diameter of ports 205, 207, 209. In embodiments, the opening may have a direction of entry at an angle of inclination with respect to each of the first planar wall and the second planar wall of at least 20 degrees. A planar segment 206b (of the third wall 206) adjacent the opening 214 has an angle of inclination of at least 15 degrees with respect to each of the first planar wall and the second planar wall (e.g., a 45 degree inclination with respect to each of the first planar wall and the second planar wall). Embodiments may include wiring chamber 212 and opening 214 configured with dimensions sufficient for comfortable entry of a standard sized human hand. The opening may be sealed using a hatch cover suited for this purpose upon the completion of wiring operations. The third surface includes hatch mounting flanges 239 adjacent the opening. Rim flange 241 surrounds the opening and the hatch mounting flanges 239 for the sealing engagement of the hatch cover. The transitions to the ports may feature beveled edges to facilitate wire pulling. [0033] More or fewer flanges may be used, and flanges may be oriented interior or exterior to the In other embodiments, hatch cover may be sealed by threaded engagement of bolts or screws through the hatch cover to tabs spaced around the perimeter of the opening, or to internal or external flanges. Other fasteners, such as locking clips, locking clamps, and so may also be employed, as suitable.

[0034] Aspects of the present disclosure enable access to the body interior from a person directly facing the corner-installed body. For a conduit pass-through body connecting conduit tubular installed in the alignment described above, the direction of entry of each port may be aligned with the plane of a wall while the direction of entry of the hatch opening lends itself to enabling access by a person directly facing the hatch opening. That is, for personnel directly facing a corner having a conduit pass-through body installed installed therein (such that each wall is at an approximately 45 degree angle to their direction of attention) will also face the hatch opening “dead-on,” or at a substantially zero degree angle. In contrast, the conventional configuration makes accessing the conduit pass-through body to perform wiring operations in a corner- mounted body awkward and inefficient.. Direction of entry, as used herein, means the vector running from a point interior of the device to the exterior and normal to the opening at its geometric center.

[0035] As shown, only the opening 214 provides direct access to the wiring chamber. As used herein, “direct access” refers to access to the interior of an enclosure from the exterior while moving through an opening defined by entering an orifice defining the opening in a direction parallel with the axis of the orifice. The direction of entry of the opening 214 is a first direction substantially transverse to the opening 214 and away from the conduit pass-through body 200.

[0036] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a corner mount termination conduit body in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Termination conduit body 400 (e.g., termination box) has only a single port for connection with conduit. [0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an industrial conduit system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. System 500 includes termination conduit body 400 connected to conduit pass-through body 200 by conduit segment 501.

[0038] In embodiments, the first planar surface may lie in a first plane, the second planar surface may lie in a second plane, and the hatch mounting flanges may be non parallel with each of the first plane and the second plane. The first plane and the second plane may intersect at a first intersect line; the second plane and the third plane may intersect at a second intersect line; and the first plane and the third plane may intersect at a third intersect line; and each of the first intersect line, the second intersect line, and the third intersect line may be substantially parallel with the remaining intersect lines.

[0039] One of skill in the art would understand that for a conduit path installed at an elevated level (e.g., along an upper end of a wall, on a ceiling, etc.), the fitting may be inverted so that the perpendicular port are oriented downward.

[0040] The term “substantially parallel,” when used herein in reference to surfaces or walls, refers to an angle between normals for planes, wherein at least 80 percent of the surface is less than 10 degrees from parallel. “Effective diameter” of a surface, as used herein in reference to a passage, port, or a tubular segment, refers to the diameter of a cylinder coinciding with the surface. Inclination of two surfaces refers to the inclination of normals of dominant planes of each surface.

[0041] The term “body” as used in this disclosure means any enclosure, housing, or any other structure that can at least partially surround equipment. The term “conduit pass-through body” as used in this disclosure means any device configured to connect sections of conduit and provide pulling access in a run of conduit as well as at least one of the following: i) redirection of the conduit path, and ii) splitting of the conduit path. Example conduit bodies include T-fittings (or ‘tee’ fittings), and L-fittings (or ‘elf fittings). The term “dead-on” as used herein means that a line-of-sight or line-of-address is parallel to a direction of entry, or normal to a plane lying on the opening. Opening as used herein means a gap in an exterior surface allowing access. The opening is the smallest imaginary surface defined by a closed three-dimensional curve intersecting the edges of the exterior surface.

[0042] While the foregoing disclosure is directed to the one mode embodiments of the disclosure, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all variations be embraced by the foregoing disclosure.