Patent Description:
Organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers, search providers, financial institutions, universities, and other computing-intensive organizations often conduct computer operations from large scale computing facilities. Such computing facilities house and accommodate a large amount of server, network, and computer equipment to process, store, and exchange data as needed to carry out an organization's operations. Typically, a computer room of a computing facility includes many computing racks, which may include server racks. Each computing rack, in turn, may include many computer systems, servers, associated computer equipment, etc.
Because the computer room of a computing facility may contain a large number of servers, a large amount of electrical power may be required to operate the facility. In addition, the electrical power is distributed to a large number of locations spread throughout the computer room (e.g., many racks spaced from one another, and many servers in each rack). Usually, a facility receives a power feed at a relatively high voltage. This power feed is stepped down to a lower voltage (e.g., 208V). A network of cabling, bus bars, power connectors, and power distribution units, is used to deliver the power at the lower voltage to numerous specific components in the facility.

The amount of computing capacity needed for any given data center may change rapidly as business needs dictate. Most often, there is a need for increased computing capacity at a location. Initially providing computing capacity in a data center, or expanding the existing capacity of a data center (in the form of additional servers, for example), is resource-intensive and may take many months to implement. Substantial time and resources are typically required to design and build a data center (or expansion thereof), lay cables, install racks, enclosures, and cooling systems to implement waste heat removal therefrom. Additional time and resources are typically needed to conduct inspections and obtain certifications and approvals, such as for electrical and HVAC systems. <CIT> discloses (see the Abstract) a busbar connector for an electrical busway system 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.

<CIT> and <CIT>disclose other examples of apparatuses comprising a power busway interposer.

These objects are solved by an assembly according to claim <NUM> and a method according to claim <NUM>. Further advantageous arrangements and developments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include," "including," and "includes" mean including, but not limited to.

Various power busway interposers for enabling reversible adjustment of an energized power busway assembly are disclosed. A data center includes a power busway assembly, which extends through a portion of an aisle space and distributes electrical power to a row of rack computer systems in the portion of the aisle space, and a power busway interposer which enables incremental extension of the power busway assembly through another portion of the aisle space while maintaining distribution of electrical power to the row of rack computer systems. The power busway assembly includes multiple power busway segments coupled in series, and the power busway interposer can couple an additional segment to an energized power busway segment that is at a distal end of the assembly to extend the assembly. The power busway interposer enables coupling of a de-energized additional power busway segment to an energized power busway segment, while maintaining the de-energized state of the additional power busway segment, and subsequent energization of the additional power busway segment via the coupled energized power busway segment.

An apparatus includes a power busway interposer which electrically couples separate power busway segments together while maintaining distribution of the electrical power through one of the separate busways, so that another one of the coupled busways can receive electrical power that one coupled busway. The power busway interposer includes separate power busway connectors and a switching device. The separate power busway connecters each couple with a separate power busway. The switching device is coupled to each of the separate connectors and selectively distributes electrical power between the separate coupled busways via the connectors.

A method includes configuring a power busway assembly, which includes one or more power busway segments, to be incrementally extended while maintaining energization of the one or more power busway segments. Such configuring of the power busway assembly includes coupling a proximate set of busway connectors of a power busway interposer to the one or more power busway segments; coupling an additional power busway segment to the distal set of busway connectors, subsequent to energizing the at least one power busway segment; and adjusting a switching device of the interposer to electrically couple the proximate and distal sets of busway connectors subsequent to coupling the additional power busway segment. The power busway interposer comprises proximate and distal sets of busway connectors and a switching device configured to selectively electrically couple the proximate and distal sets of busway connectors. Adjusting the switching device to electrically couple the proximate and distal sets of busway connectors enables the power busway interposer to distribute power from the one or more power busway segments to the additional power busway segment via the proximate and distal sets of busway connectors.

As used herein, "computer room" means a room of a building in which computer systems, such as rack-mounted servers, are operated.

As used herein, "data center" includes any facility or portion of a facility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center may include servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiple functions. Examples of computer operations include information processing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, "operating power" means power that can be used by one or more computer system components. Operating power may be stepped down in a power distribution unit or in elements downstream from the power distribution units. For example, a server power supply may step down operating power voltages (and rectify alternating current to direct current).

As used herein, providing power "support" refers to providing one or more power feeds to be available to one or more downstream systems and components, including one or more electrical loads. Such provided power feeds may be precluded from being received by the systems and components but may be made available for receipt based at least in part upon a positioning of one or more components upstream of the systems and components. For example, a reserve power system may provide reserve power support to an electrical load by providing a reserve power feed that can be selectively routed to the load by a transfer switch that is downstream of the reserve power system and upstream of the load, where the transfer switch may selectively route the reserve power feed or a primary power feed to the load based at least in part upon one or more conditions associated with the primary power feed.

As used herein, "power distribution unit", also referred to herein as a "PDU", means any device, module, component, or combination thereof, which can be used to distribute electrical power. The elements of a power distribution unit may be within a single component or assembly (such as a transformer and a rack power distribution unit housed in a common enclosure), or may be distributed among two or more components or assemblies (such as a transformer and a rack power distribution unit each housed in separate enclosure, and associated cables, etc.).

As used herein, "floor power distribution unit" refers to a power distribution unit that can distribute electrical power to various components in a computer room. A power distribution unit includes a k-rated transformer. A power distribution unit may be housed in an enclosure, such as a cabinet.

As used herein, "rack power distribution unit" refers to a power distribution unit that can be used to distribute electrical power to various components in a rack. A rack power distribution may include various components and elements, including wiring, bus bars, connectors, and circuit breakers.

As used herein, "computer system" includes any of various computer systems or components thereof. One example of a computer system is a rack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computer is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a processor, a server, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. Memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc - read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channels may include computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner. Furthermore, additional output channels may include an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, a "space" means a space, area or volume.

As used herein, a "module" is a component or a combination of components physically coupled to one another. A module may include functional elements and systems, such as computer systems, racks, blowers, ducts, power distribution units, fire suppression systems, and control systems, as well as structural elements, such a frame, housing, structure, container, etc. A module is pre-fabricated at a location off-site from a data center.

As used herein, a "rack computer system" means a computer system that includes one or more computing devices mounted in a rack.

As used herein, a "busway," "bus duct", etc. may refer to an enclosed module containing one or more bus bars for distribution of electrical power between components of a power distribution system. The enclosed module may be prefabricated and can include bus bars in a protective enclosure. The terms "bus duct" and "busway" are used interchangeably.

<FIG> is a schematic illustrating a perspective view of a computing room in which a power busway assembly of coupled power busway segments at least partially extends and provides power support to various rack computer systems via tap box assemblies.

Data center <NUM> includes a computer room <NUM> which includes an aisle space <NUM> and a row <NUM> of rack positions <NUM> extending along the aisle space <NUM>, where rack computer systems <NUM> are installed in a portion of the row <NUM> to establish a row of rack computer systems <NUM>. A power busway assembly <NUM> extends through the aisle space <NUM> and distributes electrical power from a power source <NUM>, to which the power busway assembly <NUM> is coupled via a feed box <NUM> at a proximate end <NUM> of the power busway assembly <NUM>, to the rack computer systems <NUM> in the aisle space <NUM>, via various coupled tap boxes <NUM> and power cables <NUM> coupled to power inlets <NUM> of the rack computer systems <NUM>, to enable the rack computer systems <NUM> to perform computing operations.

The power busway assembly <NUM> includes an assembly of one or more power busway segments 112A-B, where each segment <NUM> includes an enclosure <NUM> which at least partially encloses an interior space in which one or more power bus bars <NUM> are mounted, so that the power bus bars <NUM> extend through the partially enclosed interior space of each busway segment <NUM>. Each segment <NUM> has standardized dimensions, including a standardized length, width, height, etc. The segments <NUM> may have adjacent ends <NUM> at which separate adjacent segments may be coupled to electrically couple bus bars in the separate busway segments. Coupling separate busway segments can include, as shown in <FIG>, coupling the separate busway segments in series, at adjacent ends <NUM>, to at least partially establish the power busway assembly <NUM>. An end of one power busway segment 112B may be coupled to the feed box <NUM>. Such a power busway segment 112B, referred to herein as the "proximate power busway segment" 112B, receives electrical power from the power source <NUM> via the feed box <NUM> at the proximate end <NUM> of the assembly <NUM> and carries the electrical power on one or more power bus bars <NUM> of the proximate power busway segment 112B. The power busway segment 112A can distribute the electrical power to one or more coupled tap boxes <NUM>, one or more other coupled power busway segments 112A, etc..

The power busway assembly <NUM> carries an electrical power feed received from a power source <NUM>, at feed box <NUM> at the proximate end <NUM>, on the various bus bars <NUM> included in the assembly <NUM>. The electrical power feed can include an operating power feed, reserve power feed, some combination thereof, etc. Where the assembly <NUM> includes multiple segments 112A-B coupled in series at adjacent ends <NUM>, the bus bars <NUM> of the coupled segments <NUM> can be electrically coupled so that a power busway segment 112A of the assembly <NUM> that is distal from the feed box <NUM> (a "distal power busway segment" 112A) carries electrical power received from a coupled power busway segment 112B that is coupled to an end <NUM> of the distal segment 112A and carries electrical power from the feed box <NUM>.

One or more tap boxes <NUM> can be coupled to one or more of the power busway segments <NUM> in the assembly <NUM>, where coupling a tap box <NUM> to the segment includes electrically coupling a power connector of the tap box with one or more of the bus bars in the power busway segment to enable the tap box <NUM> to distribute power from the bus bar <NUM>. The tap box can be coupled, via a power cable <NUM>, to one or more power inlets <NUM> of one or more rack computer systems <NUM> in the computer room <NUM>, so that the tap box <NUM> can distribute electrical power, received from a bus bar <NUM> of a coupled power busway segment <NUM>, to the power inlet <NUM> of one or more rack computer systems <NUM> via the one or more power cables <NUM> coupled to the tap box <NUM>.

The number of rack computer systems <NUM> installed in an aisle space <NUM> of a computer room <NUM> is less than the number of rack positions <NUM> in the row <NUM> extending through the aisle space <NUM>, so that the rack computer systems <NUM> extend through one portion <NUM> of the aisle space <NUM> and a set of available rack positions <NUM> in which rack computer systems <NUM> are not installed extend through another portion <NUM> of the aisle space <NUM>.

The power busway assembly <NUM> can be reversibly configured to extend through portions of the aisle space <NUM> in which rack computer systems <NUM> are installed, so that the portions of the aisle space <NUM> through which the power busway assembly <NUM> extends corresponds to the portions in which rack computer systems are installed. As a result, the power busway assembly <NUM> may not extend through portions of the aisle space <NUM> in which rack computer systems are not installed.

In <FIG>, for example, where rack computer systems <NUM> are installed in portion <NUM> of aisle space <NUM> and not portion <NUM>, the power busway assembly <NUM> can be configured to extend through the portion <NUM> and not portion <NUM>. As a result, the quantity of power distribution infrastructure, which includes power busway segments, tap boxes, bus bars, etc. included in the data center <NUM> corresponds to the installed rack computer systems <NUM>. Thus, excess power distribution infrastructure at any given time can be minimized.

One or more instances of power distribution infrastructure are incrementally installed in the data center <NUM>, based at least in part upon incremental installation of additional rack computer systems <NUM> in the data center. As a result of such incremental installation of infrastructure, the installed power busway segments <NUM> in one or more power busway assemblies <NUM> distribute power to installed rack computer systems <NUM>, via one or more tap boxes <NUM> coupled to the segments <NUM>, and excess busway segments <NUM> to which tap boxes <NUM> are not coupled can be minimized.

Incremental installation of power distribution infrastructure includes incremental extension of the power busway assembly <NUM> into additional portions of the aisle space <NUM>, so that the extended power busway assembly <NUM> is configured to distribute electrical power to rack computer systems installed in the additional portions. Incremental extension of the power busway assembly <NUM> can include coupling additional power busway segments <NUM> to the assembly <NUM>, at a distal end <NUM> of a distal power busway segment 112A of the assembly <NUM>. Additional tap boxes <NUM> can be coupled to the additional power busway segments <NUM>, and electrical power received at feed box <NUM> can be distributed through the assembly <NUM>, including through the additional power busway segments <NUM>, to provide power support to rack computer systems <NUM> installed in the additional portion <NUM> of the aisle space <NUM>. An additional power busway segment <NUM> can be coupled to the distal end of the power busway assembly <NUM>, which can be the distal end of distal power busway segment 112A, so that assembly <NUM> is extended into portion <NUM>, based at least in part upon a determination that one or more rack computer systems <NUM> are to be installed on available rack positions <NUM> in portion <NUM>. As a result, the power busway assembly <NUM> can be extended to provide power support to the rack computer systems <NUM> in portion <NUM>.

Extending a power busway assembly <NUM> can include de-energizing the assembly <NUM>, so that the bus bars <NUM> of the additional power busway segment <NUM>, which is de-energized, are coupled to de-energized bus bars <NUM> of segment 112A. Coupling a de-energized bus bar <NUM> to an energized bus bar <NUM> can pose safety risks to the operator performing the coupling of busway segments. For example, where busway assembly <NUM> is carrying a <NUM>-amp electrical power feed from power source <NUM> and through bus bars <NUM> of segments 112A-B, coupling an additional busway segment <NUM> to the assembly at the distal end <NUM>, so that a bus bar <NUM> of the additional busway segment <NUM> is coupled to the energized bus bar <NUM> of segment 112A, can pose considerable safety risks to the operator performing the coupling. In addition, de-energizing one or more segments 112A-B of assembly <NUM>, including de-energizing the entire assembly <NUM>, to enable safe coupling of an additional segment <NUM> to a de-energized bus bar <NUM> of the assembly <NUM> can result in a loss of power support to the rack computer systems <NUM> electrically coupled to segments 112A-B via tap boxes <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a power busway assembly which includes separate power busway segments and a power busway interposer which couples the power busway segments.

Power busway assembly <NUM> includes power busway segments 210A-B and a power busway interposer <NUM>. Each of the power busway segments 210A-B includes a respective enclosure <NUM> which can least partially encloses an interior space <NUM> in which one or more various bus bars 212A-B are mounted. An enclosure <NUM> of one or more power busway segments 210A-B can be a metal enclosure, an enclosure of various materials, or the like. One of the various materials can be an electrically insulating material. The mounting structure <NUM> which holds a bus bar 212A in the interior space <NUM> and couples the bus bar 212A to the enclosure <NUM> can be an insulator, where the structure <NUM> is at least partially constructed, formed, etc. of an insulating material.

The bus bars 212A-B can have one or more various configurations. For example, a bus bar <NUM> can be a flat strip of conductive material. In another example, a bus bar can be a hollow tube structure, where the conductive material at least partially encompasses a hollow interior space. In <FIG>, each bus bar 212A-B has a "C" shaped cross section, where a hollow interior space is encompassed on three sides by the bus bar conductive material. Such a shaped bus bar can include a greater surface area to cross sectional area ratio, relative to a flat strip bus bar, to enable more efficient power distribution. A power busway connector can be inserted into the hollow interior space to physically with the bus bar on one or more of the three sides. Conductive material can include one or more various known conductive materials, including copper, brass, aluminum, etc..

A power busway interposer enables electrical coupling of separate power busway segments to establish, extend, etc. a power busway assembly. The power busway interposer may include power busway connectors that engage with one or more of the separate bus bars of the separate power busway segments, and one or more circuits which electrically couple the connectors, so that electrical power can be distributed between separate bus bars of separate power busway segments via the interposer. For example, power busway interposer <NUM> engages with respective bus bars 212A-B of each of the separate power busway segments 210A-B, via separate power busway connectors 224A-B, to electrically couple the separate bus bars 212A-B of the separate busway segments 210A-B, thereby electrically coupling the separate segments 210A-B and enabling electrical power distribution between the separate power busway segments 210A-B.

For example, where segment 210A is a distal power busway segment of a power busway assembly <NUM>, including segment 112A of assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, segment 210A may be energized, such that one or more of bus bars <NUM> is carrying an electrical power feed received, at a proximate end of the power busway assembly <NUM>, from a power source. In contrast, power busway segment 210B may be an additional power busway segment which is to be coupled to the distal power busway segment 210A, at a distal end 214A of the segment 210A which can be the distal end of the assembly <NUM>, to extend the assembly <NUM>. Power busway segment 210B may be de-energized, as the bus bars 212B of the segment 210B may be electrically isolated from any power source. Coupling the power busway segments 210A-B, at adjacent ends 214A-B, can include electrically coupling the respective bus bars 212A-B of the segments 210A-B, so that electrical power carried in one or more of bus bars 212A is distributed to one or more of the bus bars 212B of segment 210B to energize the segment 210B, thereby enabling the segment 210B to distribute electrical power to various electrical loads electrically coupled to the bus bars 212B via one or more tap boxes, connectors, etc..

Power busway interposer <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> which can include separate sets 224A-B of power busway connectors. Each separate power busway connector in the respective sets 224A-B is configured to be inserted into the hollow interior space of a separate bus bar 212A-B to engage the connector with the bus bar. Where the bus bar is carrying electrical power, also referred to as being "live" or "energized", engaging a connector <NUM> with a bus bar <NUM> can include electrically coupling the connector <NUM> with the bus bar, so that the electrical power carried by the bus bar <NUM> is distributed at least partially through the coupled connector <NUM>. Electrically coupling can also be referred to as establishing an electrical connection.

Power busway interposer <NUM> includes a set <NUM> of electrical circuits which couple the separate sets of power busway connectors 224A-B together. Each circuit <NUM> couples a connector of set 224A with a corresponding connector of set 224B, so that the respective circuit <NUM> couples a bus bar 212A that is coupled to a connector 224A with a bus bar 212B that is coupled to a connector 224B, thereby coupling separate segments 210A-B. Where one of the power busway connectors <NUM> is coupled to an energized bus bar <NUM>, the circuit <NUM> can establish an electrical connection between corresponding connectors 224A-B to electrically couple separate coupled bus bars 212A-B. The circuit <NUM> is configured to carry an entirety of the electrical power feed carried by one or more of the bus bars <NUM> of one or more of the power busway segments 210A. The entirety of the electrical power feed can include, for example, an <NUM>-amp current.

Power busway interposer <NUM> includes a set of spacers <NUM> which each engage with separate adjacent ends 214A-B of coupled separate power busway segments 210A-B when the connectors <NUM> of the interposer are coupled to bus bars 212A-B in the separate segments 210A-B. Such spacing can hold the adjacent ends 214A-B in particular positions relative to each other when the separate segments <NUM> are coupled at least partially via the interposer <NUM>.

Where one power busway segment 210A is energized, coupling a set of power busway connectors 224A of a power busway interposer <NUM> to the energized bus bars 212A of the power busway segment 210A can impose safety risks to operators manipulating the interposer <NUM> to couple it to the segment 210A. In addition, where an interposer <NUM> is coupled to an energized power busway segment 210A, the connectors 224B of the interposer that are not coupled to the energized segment 210A, and to which an additional, de-energized power busway segment 210B can be coupled, may be energized by the connectors 224A coupled to the energized segment bus bars and the circuit <NUM> coupling the separate connectors 224A-B. As a result, coupling a de-energized power busway segment 210B to an interposer <NUM> that is coupled to an energized power busway segment 210A may can impose safety risks to operators manipulating the interposer, segment, etc. to couple them together. While de-energizing the energized power busway segment 210A may mitigate the safety risk, such de-energizing can result in a loss of power support to one or more various electrical loads, including rack computer systems to which the energized power busway segment 210A is electrically coupled.

<FIG> illustrate a power busway interposer which couples separate power busway segments via separate sets of power busway connectors and a switching device.

Power busway assembly <NUM> includes two separate power busway segments 310A-B which include separate sets of bus bars 311A-B, 312A-B are coupled by a power busway interposer <NUM>.

Each power busway segment 310A-B includes an upper bus bar <NUM> and a lower bus bar <NUM> in an interior space <NUM> at least partially encompassed by an enclosure <NUM>. Each bus bar <NUM>, <NUM> includes a respective hollow interior space <NUM>, <NUM> which is at least partially encompassed by the conductive material of the respective bus bar 311A-B, 312A-B.

Power busway interposer <NUM> includes, at least partially in a housing <NUM>, separate sets 321A-B of power busway connectors, circuits <NUM> which are each coupled to at least one of the power busway connectors <NUM> and at least partially extending between separate sets 321A-B of connectors, and switching devices <NUM> which are coupled to separate circuits <NUM> and can selectively establish or terminate an electrical connection between, thereby selectively electrically coupling, separate connectors 321A-B.

As shown, a power busway interposer can be at least partially inserted into the interior spaces <NUM> of the separate busway segments 310A-B to which it couples, via the adjacent ends 371A-B of the segments 310A-B, so that the connectors 321A-B are slidably inserted into the ends to be slidably engaged with one or more separate bus bars <NUM>, <NUM>. Slidably inserting a connector into an end of a busway segment can include slidably inserting the connector into an end of a busway, so that the connector slides through a hollow interior space at least partially encompassed by the conductive material of the bus bar and is slidably engaged with the bus bar. As shown, for example, the connectors 321A-B are slidably inserted, through a respective end of separate ones of the bus bars <NUM>, <NUM> at adjacent ends <NUM>, into a hollow interior space <NUM>, <NUM> of one of the bus bars <NUM>, <NUM> and slidably inserted through the hollow interior space <NUM>, <NUM> to slidably engage 325A-B, 326A-B the respective power busway connector <NUM> with the respective bus bar <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the upper connector 321A of interposer <NUM> is slidably inserted, at end 371A of segment 310A, into a hollow interior space <NUM> of the upper bus bar 311A, so that the connector 321A is slidably engaged 325A with the bus bar 311A.

As shown, the interposer <NUM> includes separate sets 321A-B of power busway connectors that are in a staggered configuration. As a result, the connectors in a given set <NUM> couple with separate bus bars <NUM>, <NUM> in a given power busway segment <NUM> at different horizontal locations along the length of the power busway segment, so that the separate connectors in the given set <NUM> are coupled with the separate bus bars of the segment <NUM> at different horizontal distances from the end <NUM> of the segment through which the interposer <NUM> is inserted. Power busway interposer <NUM> includes a set of spacers <NUM> which each engage with separate adjacent ends 371A-B of coupled separate power busway segments 310A-B when the connectors 321A-B of the interposer are coupled to bus bars <NUM>, <NUM> in the separate segments 310A-B. Such spacing can hold the adjacent ends 371A-B in particular positions relative to each other when the separate segments 310A-B are coupled at least partially via the interposer <NUM>. One or more of the spacers <NUM> includes an electrical insulating element.

A power busway interposer includes a switching device that selectively electrically couples separate power busway connectors in the interposer. The switching device can include one or more circuit breaker devices. Interposer <NUM> includes a set of switching devices <NUM> that each is coupled, at separate ends, to separate power busway connectors 321A-B via separate circuits <NUM>.

Each switching device <NUM> can be adjustably positioned to one or more various positions to selectively electrically couple or decouple the separate power busway connectors 321A-B which are coupled to separate ends of the switching device <NUM>. For example, each switching device <NUM> can be adjustably positioned to an open position or a closed position, and the switching devices <NUM> are both illustrated in the open position. When a switching device <NUM> is in the open position, the separate connectors 321A-B coupled to the separate ends of the switching device <NUM> are electrically isolated from each other, so that electrical power cannot be distributed between the separate connectors 321A-B via the circuits <NUM> and the switching device <NUM>. When a switching device <NUM> is in the closed position, the separate connectors 321A-B coupled to the separate ends of the switching device <NUM> are electrically coupled to each other, so that power can be distributed between the separate connectors 321A-B via the circuits <NUM> and the switching device <NUM>.

An interposer <NUM> which includes the switching devices <NUM> enables selective distribution of power between separate power busway segments 310A-B coupled to the separate sets of connectors 321A-B of the power busway interposer <NUM>. Such selective distribution allows, for example, one set of connectors 321A to be energized by one busway segment 310A, while another set of connectors 321B is electrically isolated from connectors 321A by switching devices <NUM> and are therefore de-energized. As a result, a de-energized power busway segment 310B can be coupled to the interposer <NUM>, via coupling bus bars 311B-312B with de-energized connectors 321B, to couple the segments 310A-B together without coupling a de-energized bus bar with an energized connector. Subsequent to the bus bars 311B-312B of the de-energized segment 310B being coupled with the de-energized connectors 321B of interposer <NUM>, thereby coupling the segments 310A-B together, the switching devices <NUM> can be adjustably positioned to establish electrical connections between connectors 321A-B, thereby electrically coupling the segments 310A-B via the electrically coupled connectors 321A-B and enabling connectors 321B, and thus the bus bars 311B-312B of segment 310B, to be energized.

As a result, interposer <NUM> enables a power busway assembly <NUM> to be extended, via coupling separate power busway segments <NUM> together, where one segment 310A is an energized power busway segment of the assembly <NUM>, while maintaining energization of segment 310A and mitigating safety risks by enabling the additional, de-energized segment 310B to couple with a de-energized interposer connector prior to electrically coupling the separate power busway segments 310A-B together via the interposer to enable power distribution between the separate segments 310A-B.

Although interposer <NUM> can electrically couple the separate segments 310A-B, the interposer <NUM> does not provide full structural support to the coupling to hold the separate segments 310A-B in place relative to each other, support the separate segments <NUM> in an assembly in a particular location in a room, etc. A support element physically couples to each separate enclosure <NUM> of the separate power busway segments 310A-B to provide structural support and stability to the segments 310A-B, which can include holding the separate segments 310A-B in a particular position, relative to each other. For example, support element <NUM> provides structural support and stability to the coupled segments 310A-B. Element <NUM> includes a support bracket <NUM> which extends between the separate enclosures <NUM> of the separate segments 310A-B, and coupling elements couple the separate enclosures <NUM> to the bracket <NUM>. The coupling elements 336A-B can at least partially transfer the structural load of the separate enclosures <NUM> to the bracket <NUM>. Anchor <NUM> physically couples the bracket <NUM> to a fixed structure, which can include one or more of a ceiling module of a room module, a structural member of a room, etc. The anchor <NUM> can transfer at least some of the structural load of the enclosures <NUM> of the separate segments 310A-B to the fixed structure via the coupling elements 336A-B and bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an energized power busway segment and a coupled power busway interposer which couples the energized power busway segment with a de-energized power busway segment while maintaining power distribution to electrical loads via a coupled tap box assembly.

A power busway interposer can be coupled to a distal end of a power busway segment prior to energization of the power busway segment from a power source coupled to a proximate end of the segment, where a switching device in the interposer can enable an exposed power busway connector at the distal end of the interposer to remain de-energized, while a power busway connector at the proximate end of the interposer is coupled to the energized segment and is energized. As a result, a de-energized power busway segment can be coupled to the exposed, de-energized connectors of the interposer so that the separate busway segments are physically coupled, via the interposer, while remaining electrically isolated. Subsequent to coupling the de-energized segment to the de-energized connectors as the distal end of the interposer, the switching devices in the interposer can be adjusted to electrically couple the connectors at the proximate end of the interposer to the connectors as the distal end of the interposer, thereby electrically coupling the energized power busway segment to the additional power busway and enabling distribution of electrical power from the energized power busway segment to the additional power busway segment via the interposer, thereby energizing the additional power busway segment.

Each power busway segment includes an interposer incorporated into the distal end of the segment, where the proximate end of an additional power busway segments can be coupled to a distal end of an energized power busway segment of a power busway assembly without imposing safety risks due to electrically coupling separate power busway segments through physically coupling them together.

Power busway assembly <NUM> includes a power busway segment 410A and an additional power busway segment 410B, and a power busway interposer <NUM> which is coupled, at a proximate end <NUM>, to a distal end <NUM> of the power busway segment <NUM>. Power busway assembly <NUM> can be at least part of assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Power busway segment 410A includes two bus bars 413A extending through the length of the segment 410A, at least to a location proximate to the distal end <NUM> of the segment 410A. One of more of the bus bars 413A can be energized by a power source <NUM>, received at a proximate end <NUM> of the segment 410A.

One or more tap box assemblies <NUM> can be coupled to the power busway segment <NUM> to electrically couple with one or more of the bus bars 413A and distribute electrical power from the coupled bus bars to one or more electrical loads. Tap box assembly <NUM> includes a tap box housing <NUM> which is coupled to the enclosure <NUM> of the power busway segment via a coupling element <NUM>. A busway connector <NUM> is inserted into the interior space of the busway segment 410A when the tap box <NUM> is coupled to the segment 410A via coupling element <NUM>. Connector <NUM> includes one or more separate coupling elements <NUM> which can each separately engage with a separate bus bar 413A to electrically couple with the bus bar, thereby electrically coupling the tap box assembly <NUM> with the power busway segment 410A.

Tap box assembly <NUM> includes one or more circuits <NUM> extending through the housing <NUM> and connector <NUM> to couple with one or more coupling elements <NUM>, and electrical power received at a coupling element <NUM> from a coupled bus bar 413A can be distributed through the connector <NUM> and housing <NUM> via the one or more circuits <NUM>. Tap box assembly <NUM> includes one or more power cables <NUM> which are coupled to the tap box housing and are electrically coupled to the circuits <NUM>, so that electrical power received at coupling elements <NUM> from bus bars 413A can be distributed to the power cables <NUM> via circuits <NUM>.

The power cable <NUM> can be coupled to one or more electrical loads to electrically couple one or more of the bus bars 413A of segment 410A to the electrical loads, via tap box assembly <NUM> which is electrically coupled to the segment 410A. The circuits <NUM> can include one or more switching devices, including circuit breakers, which selectively electrically couple or decouple the electrical loads that are coupled to tap box assembly <NUM>, via power cables <NUM>, from the power busway segment 410A. Such switching devices may be included in the tap box housing <NUM>.

Power busway assembly <NUM> includes a power busway interposer <NUM> which is coupled, via proximate power busway connectors <NUM> at a proximate end <NUM> of the interposer <NUM>, to the power busway segment 410A at the distal end <NUM> of the segment 410A. Connectors <NUM> are each coupled to one or more of the separate bus bars 413A of the segment 410A, thereby electrically coupling at least the connectors <NUM> of the interposer <NUM> with the power busway segment 410A.

Power busway interposer <NUM> includes one or more switching devices <NUM> which couple proximate power busway connectors <NUM> at the proximate end <NUM> of the interposer <NUM> with distal power busway connectors <NUM> at the distal end of the interposer <NUM>. Each separate switching device <NUM> couples a separate proximate connector <NUM> with a separate distal connector <NUM>. Each separate switching device can be adjustably positioned to selectively electrically couple or electrically decouple ("isolate") the separate connectors <NUM>, <NUM> together via the switching device <NUM> to which the separate connectors are coupled at separate ends of the switching device <NUM>. A switching device <NUM> can include one or more circuit breaker devices. Where power busway connectors <NUM> are engaged with bus bars 413A to couple interposer <NUM> with power busway segment 410A, the power busway connectors <NUM> can be in an interior of the coupled segment 410A and interposer <NUM> and thus obscured from an exterior of same, and power busway connectors <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the interposer <NUM> can be thus be referred to as exposed distal power busway connectors <NUM>.

A switching device <NUM> in an interposer <NUM> which is coupled to a distal end <NUM> of a power busway segment 410A is positioned in an open position, so that at least two separate connectors <NUM>, <NUM> in the interposer <NUM> are electrically isolated from each other, so that an energized one of the connectors does not energize the other one of the connectors. For example, where interposer <NUM> is coupled to power busway segment 410A, such that connectors <NUM> are each coupled to a separate bus bar 413A of the segment 410A, and the segment 410A is energized so that bus bars 413A are carrying an electrical power feed, the connectors <NUM> which are electrically coupled to the bus bars 413A receive electrical power from the bus bars 413A and are thus energized, while one or more of the connectors <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the interposer <NUM>, being electrically isolated from one or more of connectors <NUM> based at least in part upon one or more of switching devices <NUM> being in an open position, remain de-energized. As a result, a proximate end <NUM> of an additional power busway segment 410B can be coupled to the distal end <NUM> of interposer <NUM>, which can include coupling the exposed distal power busway connectors <NUM> to the bus bars 413B of the segment 410B, without exposing the bus bars 413B to energization upon being engaged with the de-energized connectors <NUM> of the interposer <NUM>.

Subsequent to coupling the segment 410B to the interposer <NUM>, such that bus bars 413B are each engaged with one or more of the de-energized distal power busway connectors <NUM>, one or more of the switching devices <NUM> can be adjustably positioned into a closed position to electrically couple separate connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby electrically coupling bus bars 413A of segment 410A with the bus bars 413B of segment 413B, so that the electrical power feed being carried on bus bars 413A is distributed to bus bars 413B via interposer <NUM>. The additional segment thus becomes energized, and the electrical power feed can be distributed from the additional segment 410B to various electrical loads via coupling one or more tap box assemblies <NUM> to the additional power busway segment 410B.

A proximate end of an interposer <NUM> is coupled to a distal end <NUM> of a power busway segment 410A prior to energization of the segment 410A from a power source. For example, where segment 410A is coupled to another power segment to receive electrical power from a power source, interposer <NUM> may be coupled to the distal end <NUM> of the segment 410A, via slidably engaging one or more proximate power busway connectors <NUM> with one or more bus bars 413A, while segment 410A is de-energized, and segment 410A may be subsequently energized, such that at least power busway connectors <NUM> are energized.

Where a power busway interposer <NUM> is coupled, at a proximate end <NUM>, with power busway segment 410A, the power busway interposer <NUM> may be a part of the distal end <NUM> of the power busway segment 410A, so that the distal end <NUM> of coupled interposer <NUM> is the distal end of power busway segment 410A. Each distal end of each power busway segment in power busway assembly <NUM> includes a power busway interposer integrated into the distal end.

<FIG> illustrate a power busway interposer which includes separate tap box assemblies, coupled via a power transmission line, which couple to separate power busway segments to enable distribution of power between the power busway segments via the tap box assemblies and power transmission line.

A power busway interposer includes two separate tap box assemblies which are configured to be selectively electrically coupled to each other via one or more power transmission lines, based at least in part upon an adjustable positioning of one or more switching devices included in the power busway interposer. Each separate tap box assembly can be separately coupled to a separate power busway segment, and the switching device can be adjustably positioned to electrically couple the separate tap box assemblies, to electrically couple the separate power busway segments together.

In <FIG>, power busway interposer <NUM> includes separate tap box assemblies 510A-B which are coupled via a power cable <NUM> which is coupled to separate power interfaces 518A-B on each of the separate tap box housings 512A-B of the separate tap box assemblies 510A-B. Each separate tap box assembly 510A-B includes a separate coupling element 516A-B which can physically couple the respective tap box assembly 510A-B with a separate enclosure of a separate power busway segment. The plug head 514A-B of each tap box assembly 510A-B can extend into an interior space at least partially encompassed by the enclosure of the respective power busway segment, when coupling element 516A-B is coupled to the respective enclosure, and the power busway connectors 515A-B of each connector can engage with one or more bus bars extending through the interior space of the enclosure. One or more circuits 519A-B can be coupled, at one end, to one or more of the power busway connectors 515A-B and, at another end, to the power interface 518A-B, so that one or more power busway connectors 515A-B in a tap box assembly 510A-B can be electrically coupled to the power cable <NUM>. Electrical coupling two elements, as referred to herein, can also be referred to as establishing an electrical connection between the two elements, which can enable electrical power distribution between the two elements via the electrical connection In one example, when a power busway connector 515A of one tap box assembly 510A is engaged with a bus bar in a power busway segment, which can include power busway connector 515A electrically coupling with the bus bar, electrical power carried by that bus bar can be distributed, through the connector 514A, tap box housing 512A, and interface 518A of the respective tap box assembly 510A, based at least in part upon connector 515A and the coupled circuit 519A. The electrical power can be further distributed from interface 518A and through a coupled power transmission line <NUM>, to be distributed through the coupled separate tap box assembly 510B to be distributed to a bus bar, of a separate power busway segment, which is electrically coupled with one or more connectors 515B of the tap box assembly 510B. The power transmission line includes one or more power cables.

One or more switching devices may be included in one or more of the tap box assemblies and are configured to be adjustably positioned to selectively electrically couple or isolate the separate power busway connectors 515A-B of the separate tap box assemblies 510A-B from each other, thereby selectively electrically coupling power busway segments to which the separate tap box assemblies 510A-B may each be separately coupled. The switching devices may be included in or more of circuits 519A-B, where the switching devices may be configured to be adjustably positioned to selectively close or open the respective circuit <NUM>, thereby selectively electrically coupling or isolating components coupled to the separate ends of the respective circuit. The switching devices are included in one or more of the tap box housings 512A-B of the tap box assemblies 510A-B.

<FIG> illustrates power busway interposer <NUM> coupled to separate power busway segments 550A-B of a power busway assembly <NUM>. Each separate tap box assembly 510A-B is separately coupled, via a separate coupling element 516A-B, to a separate enclosure of a separate power busway segment 550A-B, so that the separate plug head 514A-B of each separate tap box assembly 510A-B is inserted into the interior space of the respective power busway segment 550A-B and one or more power busway connectors 515A-B of the respective tap box assemblies 510A-B is engaged with one or more bus bars 552A-B extending through the interior space of the respective power busway segment 550A-B. As a result, the separate bus bars 552A-B of the separate power busway segments 550A-B are coupled together via the separate tap box assemblies 510A-B and a power transmission line <NUM>, which can include one or more power cables, which couples the separate tap box assemblies 510A-B together.

Power busway assembly <NUM> is included in the power busway assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For example, power busway segment 550A can be the distal power busway segment 112A in assembly <NUM>.

In <FIG>, each tap box assembly 510A-B includes a separate set of switching devices 517A-B which can each be independently adjustably positioned to selectively electrically couple one or more of the power busway connectors 515A-B of the respective assembly 510A-B with the power transmission line <NUM>. Where switching devices 517A-B in each of the assemblies 510A-B are positioned in a closed position that electrically couples the respective power busway connectors 515A-B of the separate tap box assemblies 510A-B with the power transmission line <NUM>, the separate power busway connectors 515A-B can be electrically coupled together, thereby electrically coupling separate bus bars 552A-B to which the separate connectors 515A-B are electrically coupled.

The power busway interposer <NUM> can enable selectively electrically coupling two or more separate power busway segments, so that electrical power can be distributed between the separate power busway segments, while maintaining energization of at least one of the power busway segments. Such coupling can include coupling one of the tap box assemblies of the interposer with an energized power busway segment, where the tap box assembly's switching devices are in an open position, and then subsequently coupling another tap box assembly, coupled to the first tap box assembly via a power transmission line, to another separate power busway segment that is de-energized. As at least one switching device in the coupled tap box assemblies can be in an open position during the coupling of the other tap box assembly to the de-energized power busway segment, a tap box assembly included in the power busway interposer can be electrically isolated from an energized power busway segment to which another tap box assembly is coupled. As a result, an interposer which includes separate coupled tap box assemblies, where one tap box assembly is coupled to an energized power busway segment, can include a tap box assembly that itself includes connectors and coupling elements which are de-energized when the coupling elements connect with the bus bars of the de-energized power busway segment. Subsequent to the a tap box assembly being coupled to the de-energized power busway segment, one or more switching devices in the power busway interposer can be adjustably positioned to a closed position to electrically couple the power busway connectors of the separate tap box assemblies, so that the separate bus bars to which the separate assemblies are coupled are electrically coupled. As a result, where one of the separate power busway segments is energized, electrically coupling the separate bus bars of the separate power busway segments can result in the de-energized power busway segment becoming energized by electrical power received from the energized power busway segment via the coupled tap box assemblies of the interposer which are each coupled to a separate one of the separate power busway segments.

For example, where power busway segment 550A is energized, so that electrical power is being carried by bus bars 552A, tap box assembly 510A can be physically coupled to the enclosure of segment 550A, via coupling element 516A, to position plug head 514A in the interior space of the segment 550A and position power busway connectors 515A to engage with the energized bus bars 552A, thereby electrically coupling the power busway connectors 515A with bus bars 552A, thus energizing the power busway connectors 515A. One or more switching devices 517A may be in an open position, so that tap box assembly 510B remains electrically isolated from the energized power busway connectors 515A, resulting in power busway connectors 515B being de-energized. Subsequent to coupling tap box assembly 510A with segment 550A, tap box assembly 510B can be coupled to a de-energized power busway segment 550B, so that the de-energized power busway connectors 515B of the assembly 510B are engaged with de-energized bus bars 552B of segment 550B, and one or more switching devices 517A-B can subsequently be adjustably positioned to a closed position to electrically couple the tap box assemblies, thereby enabling electrical power distribution from bus bars 552A to bus bars 552B via interposer <NUM>, thus energizing power busway segment 550B.

Coupling separate power busway segments via a power busway interposer that includes tap box assemblies can includes mounting an insulator element between the adjacent ends of the coupled separate power busway segments. As shown, a power busway interposer <NUM> which includes separate tap box assemblies may not extend between the two segments at a common elevation with the two segments, extend through the adjacent ends of the adjacent separate power busway segments, etc., such as the interposers shown in <FIG>, but rather extend between the separate segments at a separate elevation, including the illustrated interposer <NUM> extending between the separate segments 550A-B at a lower elevation relative to the two segments 550A-B. As a result, the adjacent ends 554A-B of the separate segments 550A-B can be separated by open space. The electrical power feed distributed through the bus bars 552A-B, interposer <NUM>, etc. are of sufficient current, voltage, etc. that electrical arcing between the adjacent ends 554A-B may be possible. As a result, an insulating element <NUM> may be mounted between the adjacent ends 554A-B of separate power busway segments 550A-B that are coupled together by a interposer <NUM>, to mitigate the risk of electrical arcing between the separate bus bars 552A-B of the separate power busway segments through the adjacent ends 554A-B. The insulating element can include any known insulating materials. The insulating element <NUM> is physically coupled to one or both of the adjacent ends 554A-B of the separate power busway segments 550A-B. The insulating element <NUM> is included in the power busway interposer <NUM>. For example, the insulating element can be coupled to one or more of the tap box assemblies 510A-B, power transmission line <NUM>, etc..

The power busway interposer is configured to carry the full electrical feed carried by one power busway segment to another coupled power busway segment. For example, where a power busway segment 550A includes bus bars 552A which are carrying an <NUM>-amp electrical power feed, interposer <NUM> can be configured to substantially carry the entire <NUM>-amp power feed between the coupled power busway segments 550A-B, so that bus bars 552B of segment 550B substantially carry an entirety of the <NUM>-amp electrical power feed. As used herein, substantially carrying an entirety of an electrical power feed includes carrying an entirety of the electrical power feed within the manufacturing and material tolerances of the elements carrying the feed.

One or more tap box assemblies 517A-B can be coupled to a power busway segment that is already energized. For example, the illustrated power busway segment 550A can be receiving electrical power, via a power source <NUM> coupled to end <NUM>, so that the bus bars 552A are energized and carry the received electrical power. The energized power busway segment 550A can be distributing electrical power to one or more electrical loads via one or more tap box assemblies which electrically couple with one or more of the bus bars 552A and distribute electrical power from the coupled bus bars to one or more electrical loads. Tap box assembly <NUM> includes a tap box housing <NUM> which is coupled to the enclosure of the power busway segment 550A via a coupling element <NUM>. A busway connector <NUM> is inserted into the interior space of the busway segment 550A when the tap box <NUM> is coupled to the segment 550A via coupling element <NUM>. Connector <NUM> includes one or more separate coupling elements <NUM> which can each separately engage with a separate bus bar 552A to electrically couple with the bus bar, thereby electrically coupling the tap box assembly <NUM> with the energized power busway segment 550A.

Tap box assembly <NUM> includes one or more circuits <NUM> extending through the housing <NUM> and connector <NUM> to couple with one or more coupling elements <NUM>, and electrical power received at a coupling element <NUM> from a coupled bus bar 552A can be distributed through the connector <NUM> and housing <NUM> via the one or more circuits <NUM>. Tap box assembly <NUM> includes one or more power cables <NUM> which are coupled to the tap box housing and are electrically coupled to the circuits <NUM>, so that electrical power received at coupling elements <NUM> from bus bars 552A can be distributed to the power cables <NUM> via circuits <NUM>.

The power cable <NUM> can be coupled to one or more electrical loads to electrically couple one or more of the bus bars 552A of segment 550A to the electrical loads, via tap box assembly <NUM> which is electrically coupled to the segment 550A. The circuits <NUM> can include one or more switching devices, including circuit breakers, which selectively electrically couple or decouple the electrical loads that are coupled to tap box assembly <NUM>, via power cables <NUM>, from the power busway segment 550A. Such switching devices may be included in the tap box housing <NUM>.

One or more connectors of a power busway interposer are coupled to energized bus bars of an energized power busway segment. Where a power busway interposer includes a tap box assembly, such coupling with an energized power busway segment can include coupling a tap box assembly connector with the energized bus bars of the power busway segment. For example, where power busway segment 550A is energized and distributed electrical power from energized bus bars 552A to one or more electrical loads, via tap box assembly <NUM>, interposer <NUM> can be coupled to the energized power busway segment 550A via coupling tap box assembly 510A with the energized segment 550A, so that plug head 514A is positioned within the interior space of segment 550A to engage connectors 515A with the energized bus bars 552A.

<FIG> illustrates a power busway interposer which includes separate tap box assemblies, coupled via a switching device component, which couple to separate power busway segments to enable distribution of power between the power busway segments via the tap box assemblies and the switching device component.

Power busway assembly <NUM> includes separate power busway segments 610A-B and a power busway interposer <NUM> which couples the separate segments 610A-B together, based at least in part upon coupling, at separate tap box assemblies 621A-B of the interposer <NUM>, with separate sets of bus bars 612A-B extending through the separate segments 610A-B.

A power busway interposer which includes separate tap box assemblies includes a bridge element <NUM> which is coupled, at separate ends, to the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B and includes one or more various circuits 626A-B which can electrically couple to one or more of the power busway connectors 623A-B of the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B. The circuits 626A-B can each be coupled, at one end, to separate ends of one or more switching devices <NUM> included in the bridging element <NUM>, where the switching devices <NUM> are configured to be adjustably positioned to selectively electrically couple or electrically isolate the separate circuits 626A-B coupled to the separate ends of the switching devices <NUM>. As a result, the switching devices <NUM> can selectively electrically couple or electrically isolate the separate tap box assemblies <NUM> of the interposer <NUM>, thereby selectively electrically coupling the separate power busway segments 610A-B to which the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B are coupled via separate respective power busway connectors 623A-B. In addition, the tap box assemblies 621A-B may be free from including switching devices in the respective assemblies <NUM>, and a single set of switching devices <NUM> may be adjustably positioned to selectively electrically couple the power busway connectors 623A-B of the separate assemblies 621A-B.

Bridging element <NUM> is a rigid housing extending between the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B, where the bridging element <NUM> is coupled, at opposite ends, to separate tap box housings 625A-B of the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B. As a result, the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B of the interposer <NUM> may be coupled to separate power busway segments concurrently, as the rigid bridging element <NUM> may fix the relative position of each of the tap box assemblies 621A-B relative to each other. For example, where coupling element 624A of tap box assembly 621A is coupled to the enclosure of power busway segment 610A, so that plug head 622A is positioned within the interior space of the segment 610A to position power busway connectors 623A to engage with one or more of bus bars 612A, the other tap box assembly 621B, being held in a fixed position relative to assembly 621A by bridging element <NUM>, may be concurrently coupled to the enclosure of power busway segment 610B via coupling element 624B, so that plug head 622B is positioned within the interior space of the segment 610B to position power busway connectors 623B to engage with one or more of bus bars 612B. Thus, power busway connectors 623A-B can be positioned, concurrently, in the separate interior spaces of separate power busway segments 610A-B to connect with the respective separate bus bars 612A-B of the separate power busway segments 610A-B.

Switching device <NUM> may be adjustably positioned to an open position to electrically isolate the separate power busway connectors 623A-B, so that coupling one set of power busway connectors 623A with an energized bus bar 612A does not cause power busway connectors 623B to become energized. Subsequent to the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B being coupled to the separate power busway segments 610A-B, such that the separate power busway connectors 623A-B of the separate tap box assemblies 621A-B are each coupled to a separate set of bus bars 612A-B, switching devices <NUM> can be adjustably positioned into a closed position, so that the power busway connectors 623A-B are electrically coupled via the bridging element <NUM>. Where one of the coupled bus bars 612A-B is energized, positioning the switching device <NUM> to a closed position to electrically couple the separate power busway connectors 623A-B can cause another one of the coupled bus bars 612A-B to become energized, based at least in part upon distribution of electrical power from the energized power busway segment to the other power busway segment via the tap box assemblies 621A-B and bridging element <NUM>.

An insulating element <NUM> is included in one or more of the interposer <NUM>, a support element <NUM> which transfers at least some of the structural load of one or more of the power busway segments 610A-B to a fixed structure via support bracket <NUM>, coupling elements <NUM>, anchor <NUM>, etc. Insulating element <NUM> physically couples with adjacent ends of the separate power busway segments 610A-B via separate coupling elements 632A-B at opposite faces of the insulating element <NUM>.

Power busway assembly <NUM> is included in the power busway assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For example, power busway segment 610A can be the distal power busway segment 112A in assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates configuring a power busway assembly to provide power support to electrical loads and extending the power busway assembly while maintaining power support to the electrical loads. Configuring a power busway assembly can include configuring one or more of various power busway assemblies, segments, interposers, etc. as illustrated above in <FIG>.

At <NUM>, one or more power busway segments are installed in an aisle space, so that the power busway segments comprise a power busway assembly which extends through one or more portions of the aisle space. The power busway segments can include one or more enclosures at least partially encompassing an interior space, with one or more bus bars extending through the interior space. The power busway segments comprising the assembly can include two or more power busway segments coupled in series at adjacent ends. One of the segments, referred to as the proximate power busway segment, can extend to an end of the aisle space and can be coupled, at a proximate end of the segment, to a feed box. Another one of the segments, referred to as a distal power busway segment, can be at an opposite end of the assembly and end at a distal end of the segment, which can also be the distal end of the power busway assembly.

At <NUM>, a power busway interposer is coupled to a power busway segment in the power busway assembly, via one or more sets of power busway connectors of the power busway interposer. The power busway interposer can be coupled to the distal power busway segment. The power busway interposer can be configured to be slidingly inserted into the distal end of the busway, as shown in <FIG>, to slidingly engage one or more power busway connectors with one or more bus bars in the distal power busway segment. The power busway interposer may include a tap box assembly configured to be coupled with the enclosure of the busway, as shown in <FIG>, to position one or more coupling elements to electrically couple with one or more of the bus bars of the power busway segment. The power busway interposer can include one or more switching devices which are positioned in an open position concurrently with coupling the interposer to the power busway segment, so that at least one set of power busway connectors in the interposer is electrically isolated from the connectors which are coupled with the bus bars in the power busway segment to which the interposer is coupled.

At <NUM>, one or more of the power busway segments are coupled to a power source. The coupling can include coupling one or more ends of a power busway segment, including a proximate end, to a feed box and coupling the feed box to a power transmission line which is electrically coupled to the power source, so that electrical power can be distributed from the power source, through the power transmission line, through the feed box, and to one or more bus bars included in the power busway segment.

At <NUM>, the one or more power busway segments in the power busway assembly are energized. Energization can include distributing electrical power from a power source to the various power busway segments in the power busway assembly via the feed box coupled to a proximate end of a proximate power busway segment of the assembly. Where the power busway segments in the power busway assembly are each coupled in series, electrical power from the power source can be distributed through the various power busway segments, including the distal power busway segment. Where at least one set of power busway connectors are coupled to one or more of the energized power busway segments, including the distal power busway segments, at least the power busway connectors engaged with the energized power busway segment may be energized. Where the power busway interposer includes a switching device that is positioned in an open position to isolate the energized power busway connector from another one or more power busway connectors, the other one or more power busway connectors may remain de-energized.

At <NUM>-<NUM>, one or more tap box assemblies are coupled to one or more energized power busway segments in the power busway assembly, and coupled to one or more electrical loads via one or more power cables, to distribute electrical power from one or more of the energized bus bars in the power busway segments to one or more electrical loads. As a result, one or more of the power busway segments in the power busway assembly provides power support to one or more electrical loads. Electrical loads can include one or more rack computer systems, power distribution units, automatic transfer switches, etc..

At <NUM>, a determination is made regarding whether to extend the power busway assembly into an additional portion of the aisle space. Such a determination can be based at least in part upon a determination regarding whether electrical loads are to be installed in the additional portion of the aisle space. Determinations that electrical loads are to be installed in the additional portion of the aisle space can include receiving an indication that one or more electrical loads are inbound for delivery to the aisle space, have been ordered for delivery to the aisle space, have been received at a location proximate to the aisle space, etc. The additional portion of the aisle space may have previously been free from electrical loads and power busway assemblies and may have included positions that demarcate the positions into which electrical loads may be installed in the future.

At <NUM>, based at least in part upon a determination that the power busway assembly is to be extended, an additional power busway segment can be installed in the aisle space at a position that is proximate to the distal power busway segment of the power busway assembly. An insulating element can be mounted between adjacent ends of the distal power busway segment and the additional power busway segment. The end of the additional power busway segment that is adjacent to the distal end of the distal power busway segment may be referred to as the proximate end of the additional power busway segment. A power busway interposer may be coupled to an opposite distal end of the additional power busway segment. The additional power busway segment may not be electrically coupled to any power source, such that the bus bars of the additional power busway segment, and thus the segment itself, are de-energized. Such an additional power busway segment can referred to as a de-energized additional power busway segment.

At <NUM>, one or more power busway connectors of the power busway interposer which is coupled to one or more of the power busway segments of the power busway assembly are engaged with the additional power busway segment. Engaging a power busway connector with a power busway segment includes engaging the power busway connector with a bus bar included in the power busway segment. The power busway connectors which are engaged with the one or more power busway segments can include one or more de-energized power busway connectors which are electrically isolated from one or more energized power busway connectors which are engaged with one or more energized bus bars of the distal power busway segment. The power busway connectors which are engaged with the additional power busway segment can include one or more distal power busway connectors which are coupled to, and electrically isolated from, one or more energized power busway connectors via one or more switching devices in the interposer. Thus, the power busway connectors which are engaged with the additional power busway segment can be de-energized, in addition to the additional power busway segment being de-energized.

Claim 1:
An apparatus, comprising:
a power busway interposer (<NUM>; 510A-B, <NUM>;<NUM>) configured to couple at least two separate power busway segments (310A-B; 550A-B; 610A-B) together and selectively energize at least one of the coupled power busway segments via a separate energized power busway segment of the coupled power busway segments, wherein the power busway interposer comprises:
at least two separate sets of power busway connectors (321A-B; 515A-B; 623A-B), wherein a proximate set (321A; 515A; 623A) of the separate power busway connectors is configured to couple with a first one (310A; 550A; 610A) of the at least two separate power busway segments and a distal set (321B; 515B; 623B) of the separate power busway connectors is configured to couple with a second one (310B; 550B; 610B) of the at least two separate power busway segments;
a set of electrical circuits (<NUM>; 519A-B; 626A-B) which couple the separate sets of power busway connectors (321A-B, 515A-B; 623A-B) together; and
a set of switching devices (<NUM>; 517A-B; <NUM>), wherein each switching device of the set of switching devices is configured to selectively electrically couple and decouple respective ones of the proximate set to respective ones of the distal set of power busway connectors to each other via separate circuits to selectively energize or deenergize the at least one of the coupled power busway segments via the separate energized power busway segment of the coupled power busway segments, wherein the set of switching devices is configured to electrically isolate the at least one of the coupled power busway segments from the separate energized power busway segment when selectively electrically decoupling the proximate set and distal set of separate power busway connectors to each other, and is further configured to electrically couple the first power busway segment to the second power busway segment when selectively electrically coupling the proximate set and the distal set of power busway connectors to each other via separate circuits from a first one of the proximate power busway connectors to a first one of the distal power busway connectors and from a second one of the proximate power busway connectors to a second one of the distal power busway connectors.