US2059899A - Channel conductor clamp - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1936. H. w. PAPST H 2,059,899

CHANNEL CONDUCTOR CLAMP Filed June 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. I 3, 1933 I UNITED STATES.

2,059,899 crummconnuc'roa 0mm Hugh W. Paplt,

Anaconda Wire &

New York, N. I, assignor to Cable Company, New York.

N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 29,1934, Serial No. 733,048

8 Claims. (cl. 113-251) This invention relates to clamps for electrical conductors, such as bus bars, constructed of channel shaped beams or elements formed into a hollow conductor of rectangular or similar geometric cross-section. I

when conductors carry powerful alternating currents vibratory -or pulsating electro-magnetic forces are set up. These forces tend to cause the conductor elements to clamps, particularly in hollow channel type of bus bar where it is desirable to provide a longitudinal slip or sliding fit between the bus bars and the supporting mem-' bers.

An object of my invention is to provide a bus bar or conductor support for the channel type of construction which will hold the channels securely against chattering while permitting longitudinal expansion, if desired.

Various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a channel type of bus bar and clamps embodying a preferred form of thesinvention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the clamp and channelonstruction taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Figs. 3, 4, and are respectively side, end anli, top views ,of an element of the clamp. I

In my invention a pair of channel bars or elements II and II are arranged horizontally with the web vertical and the flanges at top and bottom slightly spaced and in reversed complementary relation to form a structure that is rectangular in cross-section and has longitudinally extending spaces at top and bottom to permit a free circulation of air upwardly through the interior of the conductor.

The channel bars II and "are supported at intervals in their length on a support or base I3 of porcelain, or other suitable insulating material, having a central rib I4 111' its upper surface to act as a spacer separating the opposed edges of the channel bar flanges. I

The channels are similarly spaced position by a cap 15 of insulating material having' a'downwardly depending rib or spacer ele-- ment 16 between the opposed edges of the uppermost flanges of the channel bars. The spacing elements It and ii are conveniently formed as longitudinal ribs, but it willbe understood that any suitable projection or spacing means may be employed. l

The upper element or cap I5 is secured in position and clamped or held downwardlyon to the channel elements by means of clamps l1, one at chatter in the supporting.

such constructions as the and held in each side of the bus bar and bolted to projecting flanges l8 and I8 respectively of the base It and cap 15. The clamps II also serve to hold the channel elements H and I! from sliding sidewise from their position between the base l3 and cap I. g

" The clamps Il may be of any suitable construction preferably, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and I 5, of a pair of T- section columns 20 and 2| having sockets at their upper ends to receive screws 22 for bolting the clamps between the flanges i8 and I9, and also having connecting webs 23 and 24 at top and bottom. The webs 23 and 24 are recessed at 25 and 26 respectively on their inner sides to receive the lower and upper ends of an are shaped spring 21, the intermediate part of which bears against the outer surfaces of the channels II and I2.

The spring 21 holds the channels from opposite directions respectively against the central spacer elements I4 and It with a resilient action that takes up vibrational or pulsating forces and prevents the channel elements from vibrating or chattering between the spacer elements It and I6, and the inner surfaces of the clamps; At the same timeit permits a longitudinal freedom of motion for the channels ii and I! which may be absorbed in flexible connectors at intervals along the bus run to prevent buckling when the channels become heated and expand. This also relieves the insulators of destructive strains due to bus expansion.

By the above invention a clamp of simple rugged construction is provided which may be very easily assembled and which holds the channel members securely in position against sidewise movements and vibrations while still permitting the necessary freedom of movement in a direction lengthwise of the channels;

It will be obvious, of course, that the invention may be applied to acase where but a single channel is to be employed between upper and lower elements by a single clamp.

What I; claimis:

l. A channel bus bar clamp assembly which comprises a supporting base having a spacing means, a cap having a spacing means overly ing that of the base, channel members arranged in pairs one on each side of said spacing means between said base and said cap in reversed positions to form a hollow conductor, a pair of clamping members, one at one side and the other at the opposite side of said pair of channels connecting said cap and said base and resilient means confined between said channel members and said clamping members.

2. A channel bus bar and supporting clamp assembly which comprises a pair of channel members arranged with their upper and lower flanges extending horizontally in reversed positions to form a hollow conductor and with ad- Jacent edges of the said flanges slightly spaced, a supporting base and a cap, said base and cap having spacing ribs between the edges of said flanges, clamp members connecting said cap and said base on the outer sides of said pair of channel members and spring means reacting between said channel members and said connecting clamp members to force said channel members resiliently against said ribs.

3. A channel bus bar and support assembly which comprises a pair of channel members positioned with their upper and lower flanges arranged in reversed positions to form a hollow conductor, means between said channel members to slightly space the opposed edges of said flanges-and means on opposite sides of said pair of channel members to press said channel members resiliently against said spacing means. 4. Clamping and supporting means for a channel bus bar which comprises channel members positioned with their upper and lower flanges arranged in reversed positions to form a hollow conductor, a base, a cap, said base and said can each having a, central spacing means between apairof opposed edges of said channel members, connecting members, one at one side and the other at the opposite side of said pair of reversely positioned channel members between said base and said cap, and a spring mounted between the inner face of each of said connecting members and said pair of channel members to force/said channel members resiliently against said central spacing means.

5. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a horizontally extending channel .beam, supporting means contacting the upper resilient means confined between said clamping means and adjacent side of said beam.

7. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a longitudinally extending channel beam, supporting means-engaging the upper and lower surfaces of said channel beam and having stops for the upper and lower surfaces each respectively of one side of said beam, a clamping means at the opposite side of said beam and an are shaped spring confined between said clamping means and adjacent side of said beam.

8. A hollow bus bar and supporting assembly which comprises a pair of conductor elements each having upper and lower surfaces extending toward the upper and lower surfaces respectively of the opposite element, spacing means between the upper and lower surfaces of said respective conductor elements, and means on opposite sides of said pair of conductor elements to press said members resiliently toward said spacing means.

HUGH W. PAPST.

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