TITLE
Metal extrusion for bus duct systems

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an extrusion arrangement, and in particular to the extrusion arrangement of a bus duct system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various electrical power distribution systems are known in industrial facilities. One such example is a bus duct system. The bus duct system facilitates power distribution from one place to another place in an industrial facility. The bus duct system is used in each of commercial and industrial facilities, both indoors and outdoors. Typically, a heating mechanism is installed within the bus duct system, in order to prevent condensation in the bus duct system. It should be noted that the condensation in the bus duct system may occur due to differences in the bus duct system and the surrounding environment.
Conventionally, a fire retardant low smoke wiring arrangement is provided for facilitating electrical connection to the heating arrangement positioned in the bus duct system. The wiring arrangement is positioned and routed within an interior of the bus duct system. However, the current arrangement of the wiring arrangement in the bus duct system suffers from certain disadvantages such as the wiring arrangement may get damaged by heat within the bus duct system, and thus may result in reducing serviceable age of wires and increasing maintenance. Further, any foreign particle/object may enter the bus duct system from an opening that may be provided for the wiring arrangement.
Furthermore, in certain applications, such as outdoor application, the bus duct system is prone to damage due to direct sun radiation and rain. Typically, a cleat is welded on top of each side of the bus duct system in order to prevent the damage. However, such arrangements of the cleat are inefficient in effective positioning and site adjustment.
Therefore, there exists a need for an improved system that may overcome all the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to have an extrusion arrangement in an electrical power distribution system, such as a bus duct system, which facilitates relatively safe insertion and routing of a wiring arrangement of the bus duct system.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to an extrusion arrangement. The extrusion arrangement includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion defines one or more first grooves, to facilitate fixation of a structural element to the extrusion arrangement. On the other hand, the second end portion defines one or more second grooves, which facilitate insertion, holding, and routing of one or more cables.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the extrusion arrangement, the structural element corresponds to at least one of a canopy or a cover. The canopy or the cover protects the extrusion arrangement from an external environment.

In another preferred embodiment, the one or more first grooves are configured to fix the structural element using an aluminum bush. It should be noted that use of the aluminium bush avoids intrusion of dust particles from the external environment to an internal of the extrusion arrangement.

In another preferred embodiment, the extrusion arrangement is made up of metals, such as aluminium, mild steel, and galvanized steel.

In another preferred embodiment, a system includes the extrusion arrangement that is configured to provide an external wiring arrangement for a heating mechanism of a bus duct system. The extrusion arrangement includes the one or more first grooves and the one or more second grooves for affixing a cover of the bus duct system.

In a further embodiment, the one or more first grooves and the one or more second grooves of the extrusion arrangement are closed/covered using a UV protected PVC strip. Usage of the UV protected PVC strip prevents intrusion of sunlight and dust to the wiring arrangement, and thus protects the wiring arrangement from the external environment.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the one or more second grooves are further configured for affixing a thermostat of the bus duct system.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the first end portion having a first slot and the second end portion having a second slot. The first slot and the second slot are configured for affixing a sheet, in order to form an enclosure for the bus duct system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure.1 illustrates an extrusion arrangement;
Figure.2 illustrates the extrusion arrangement in a bus duct system;
Figure.3 illustrates a junction box for a thermostat using the extrusion arrangement of the bus duct system; and
Figure.4 illustrates an embodiment of a structural element using the extrusion arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The best and other modes for carrying out the present invention are presented in terms of the embodiments, herein depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present invention describes an extrusion arrangement that facilitates holding and insertion of wiring arrangement. The extrusion arrangement is capable of protecting the wiring arrangement from an external environment. Particularly, the extrusion arrangement prevents intrusion of dust to the wiring arrangement of the extrusion arrangement.

Further, the extrusion arrangement facilitates external routing of the wiring arrangement. The external routing of the wiring arrangement prevents damage to the wiring arrangement due to internal heat in a bus duct system. Moreover, the extrusion arrangement is relatively more rugged and rigid enough to avoid any damage, due to the external environment when used in outdoor applications.

The present invention describes the extrusion arrangement which is a singular-piece extruded sheet metal formed of a specific size and shape. The extrusion arrangement is made up of a metallic material, such as, but not limited to, aluminium, mild steel, stainless steel, and galvanized iron. It should be noted that usage of the metallic material for the extrusion arrangement provides structural strength to the extrusion arrangement that result in reducing chances of damage to the extrusion arrangement.

Although, the present invention describes the extrusion arrangement to be made of a single extruded sheet metal. It should be noted that the extrusion arrangement may be contemplated to be made up by performing machining operations on the extruded sheet metal, such as, but not limited to, roll forming, welding, and seaming operations. Moreover, the extrusion arrangement may be contemplated to be a multi-part sheet metal component. Applicability of the concepts of the present invention to various forms of the extrusion arrangement may be contemplated, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, an extrusion arrangement (2) is an elongated sheet metal that includes a first end portion (4), a second end portion (6), and an intermediate portion (8). The first end portion (4), the second end portion (6), and the intermediate portion (8), are in conjunction with each other. Further, the first end portion (4), the second end portion (6), and the intermediate portion (8), of the extrusion arrangement (2), having a first surface (10) and a second surface (12). It should be noted that the first end portion (4) and the second end portion (6) extend from opposite ends of the intermediate portion (8).

The first end portion (4) having a first slot (14) which is structured and arranged to facilitate affixation of at least a portion of a sheet (34) (as shown in FIG. 4). Further, the first end portion (4) includes one or more first grooves (16) that extend longitudinally along a length of the extrusion arrangement (2). The one or more first grooves (16) are disposed at the second surface (12) of the extrusion arrangement (2). It should be noted that only a single first groove (16) is shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the one or more first grooves (16) refer as a first groove (16).

The first groove (16) is structured and arranged to facilitate affixation of at least a portion of a structural element (32) (as shown in FIG. 4). The detailed description of the structural element (32) will be described later in conjunction with FIG. 4. The extrusion arrangement (2) further includes the second end portion (6) having a second slot (18). The second slot (18) is structured and arranged to facilitate affixation of at least a portion of the sheet (34) (as shown in FIG. 4). Further, the second end portion (6) includes one or more second grooves (20) that extend longitudinally along a length of the extrusion arrangement (2). The one or more second grooves (20) are disposed at the second surface (12) of the extrusion arrangement (2). It should be noted that only a single second groove (20) is shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the one or more second grooves (20) refer as a second groove (20).

The second groove (20) is structured and arranged to insert one or more cables (24) (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). In another embodiment, the second groove (20) is configured to hold the one or more cables (24). The extrusion arrangement (2) is configured to provide the one or more cables (24) (i.e., an external wiring arrangement) for a heating mechanism of a bus duct system (22). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the second groove (20) of the extrusion arrangement (2) are closed/covered using a PVC strip (26). In one case, the PVC strip (26) corresponds to a UV protected PVC strip. In an embodiment, the UV protected PVC strip (26) is provided to cover the second groove (20) of the extrusion arrangement (2). It should be noted that the UV protected PVC strip (26) protects the one or more cables (24) (i.e., the external wiring arrangement) of the heating mechanism (not shown) of the bus duct system (22) from the external environment. Particularly, usage of the UV protected PVC strip (26) prevents intrusion of dust and foreign material from the external environment into the bus duct system (22).

As shown in FIG. 3, the second groove (20) of the extrusion arrangement (2) is configured for affixing a thermostat (30). As discussed above, the one or more cables (24) are inserted in the second groove (20), which is positioned on the second surface (12) of the extrusion arrangement (2). It should be noted that the one or more cables (24) are protected from high temperatures within the bus duct system (22). The thermostat (30) is positioned at a portion along a length of the second groove (20). In one case, the thermostat (30) is positioned in a junction box (28). The junction box (28) is affixed to a portion of the second groove (20). In one case, the junction box (28) is rectangular in shape. In another embodiment, the junction box (28) may be of some other shape as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It should be noted that affixation of the thermostat (30) to the second groove (20) may be done using one or more affixation techniques, such as, but not limited to, welding technique, a rivet attachment technique, and an adhesive attachment technique, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bus duct system (22) employs two extrusion arrangements (2), (2’), the sheet (34), and the structural element (32). The extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) forms two walls of the bus duct system (22), such that the first surface (10) faces an interior of the bus duct system (22) and the second surface (12) faces an exterior of the bus duct system (22). The extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) extend longitudinally, along a length of the bus duct system (22).

As discussed above, the first groove (16), (16’) is configured to fix the structural element (32). The structural element (32) corresponds to at least one of a canopy or a cover. In a preferred embodiment, the structural element (32) is affixed to the first groove (16), (16’) using an aluminium bush (not shown). It should be noted that the structural element (32) is fixed on a top of the bus duct system (22) by using the aluminium bush (not shown) on a top side (not shown) of the first groove (16), (16’). It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the affixation of the structural element (32) may be done easily during installation and maintenance of the bus duct system (22) using one or more stamping techniques, such as, but not limited to, a single hem, joint, a double hem joint, or a groove seam joint.

In a preferred embodiment, the sheet (34) is affixed to the first slot (14) (shown in FIG. 1) and the second slot (18) (shown in FIG. 1) of the extrusion arrangements (2), (2’), to form an enclosure for the bus duct system (22). In another embodiment, the sheet (34) may be affixed to the first slot (14) only. Alternatively, another sheet (i.e., different sheet) may be affixed to the second slot (18) of each of the two extrusion arrangements (2), (2’), to form a floor of the bus duct system (22). It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the affixation of the sheet (34) to the first slot (14) and the second slot (18) of the extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) may be done using various known stamping techniques, such as, but not limited to, a single hem joint, a double hem joint, or a groove seam joint.

The extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) are made up of a metallic material, such as, but not limited to, aluminium, mild steel, stainless steel, and galvanized iron. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the metallic material mentioned above has been provided only for illustration purposes. In an embodiment, the extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) may be made up of some other metallic material as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that although the present invention describes applicability of the extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) within the bus duct system (22). In an embodiment, applicability of the extrusion arrangements (2), (2’) to other power distribution systems may also be contemplated, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS:
1. An extrusion arrangement comprising:
a first end portion having one or more first grooves configured to fix a structural element; and
a second end portion having one or more second grooves configured to insert and further configured to hold one or more cables.

2. The extrusion arrangement according to the claim 1, wherein the structural element corresponds to at least one of a canopy or a cover.

3. The extrusion arrangement according to any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the one or more first grooves are configured to fix the structural element using an aluminum bush.

4. The extrusion arrangement according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the extrusion arrangement is made up of metals such as aluminium, mild steel, stainless steel or galvanized iron.

5. A system comprising the extrusion arrangement according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more first grooves and the one or more second grooves of the extrusion arrangement are configured for affixing a cover of a bus duct system.

6. The system according to the claim 5, wherein the one or more second grooves of the extrusion arrangement is configured for affixing a thermostat.

7. The system according to any of the claims 5 or 6, wherein the one or more first grooves and the one or more second grooves of the extrusion arrangement are closed/covered using a UV protected PVC strip.

8. The system according to any of the claims 5 to 7, wherein the extrusion arrangement is configured to provide an external wiring arrangement for a heating mechanism of the bus duct system.

9. The system according to any of the claims 5 to 8, wherein the first end portion having a first slot and the second end portion having a second slot, wherein the first slot and the second slot are configured for affixing a sheet.

10. The system according to the claim 9, wherein the sheet is affixed to the first slot and the second slot of the extrusion arrangement, to form an enclosure for the bus duct system.