Electrical Switchgear Patents (Class 361/605)
  • Patent number: 11757266
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing a ventilation opening in a housing of a switch gear in the event of a sudden increase in pressure caused by electric arcing. The apparatus includes a frame which is adapted to be coupled to the housing of the switch gear adjacent the opening, a flap pivotally mounted at the frame, the flap being adapted to be moved from an open position in which the flap overlaps the ventilation opening keeping a gap which allows an airflow through the opening, into a closed position, in which the flap fully covers the opening and blocks the air flow, spring elastic means which urge the flap into the open position, and a retaining element which is adapted to mechanically lock the flap in the closed position after pivoting the flap from the open position into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Tomas Pasalov, Adam Ondricek, Pavel Vrbka
  • Patent number: 11211209
    Abstract: A system for isolating a fault in a direct current (DC) grid using thermionic arc extinction. The system includes a DC grid that includes a transmission line. The DC grid also includes a plurality of current interrupters disposed on the transmission line. Each of the plurality of current interrupters on the transmission line are electrically coupled to one another in series. At least one of the current interrupters includes a fixed terminal end and a moveable terminal end. Further, at least one of the current interrupters has an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts. At least one of the arcing contacts comprises a first conducting material that has a first vaporizing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: STACOM ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Frank P Stacom
  • Patent number: 10811855
    Abstract: A tank assembly has heat-generating equipment contained therein. The tank assembly includes a heat pipe having an opening, wherein an interior of the heat pipe contains a liquid and a gas. The tank assembly further includes a tank fixed to the heat pipe and sealing the opening of the heat pipe. The tank houses at least one of a disconnector switch and a circuit breaker operatively connected to the disconnector switch. The sealing of the opening of the heat pipe prevents the liquid and the gas from entering the tank. The heat pipe extends beyond a side of the tank, and has a cooling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: David G. Woolard
  • Patent number: 10630060
    Abstract: A motorized drive for racking operations in a medium voltage switchgear comprising a main drive shaft actuated by a drive motor and adapted to be operatively coupled to a truck in said medium voltage switchgear characterized in that it comprises a replicating device which replicates the stroke of said truck during rack-in or rack out operations in said switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Giorgio Magno, Stefano Magoni
  • Patent number: 10367336
    Abstract: A frame for a switchgear cabinet has a plurality of interconnected frame profiled elements, and a method produces such a switchgear cabinet. At least two holders vertically spaced apart from one other and having cutouts for distribution busbars are arranged within the outer contour formed by the profiles. In an operating position, the holders are oriented along a vertical axis. The at least two holders are also movable, in particular rotatable, into a fitting position, however, in which the axis is at an angle to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Scherzer, Thomas Berger, Guenter Doleschal
  • Patent number: 10341540
    Abstract: A camera system for gas-insulated switchgear systems, includes a front plate of the gas-insulated switchgear system having two front-plate connections, a central unit, and at least one camera in a camera housing or in respective camera housings. The line between the front-plate connections and the at least one camera is branched in the shape of a Y and the data communication and the current and voltage supply of the central unit occur via a common connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jens Huempfner
  • Patent number: 10227800
    Abstract: Enclosure comprises a plurality of bar members translatably attached to an interior surface of the door of the enclosure. Each of the plurality of bar members comprises a projection. A plurality of blocks are disposed on a peripheral edge of the opening of the enclosure's body, such that there is a corresponding block for each projection, and wherein each of the plurality of blocks define a channel for receiving and engaging its corresponding projection. When actuated in a first member, an actuator causes each of the plurality of bar members to translate between a first position and a second position. When the door is in a closed position, translation of the bar members to the first position causes each projection to engage with the channel of its corresponding block to thereby hold the door in the closed position. Translation of the plurality of bar members to the second position causes each projection to be translated out of engagement with its corresponding block such that the door can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Chromalox, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Mark Trussler
  • Patent number: 10141254
    Abstract: A direct bonded copper (DBC) power module with elevated common source inductance is adapted for use as a half bridge in an electric drive for an electric vehicle. Etching patterns on the DBC substrates provide indented notches for concentrating magnetic flux in the power loops. Etched gate traces form gate loops with coil windings disposed within or overlapping the notches in order to enhanced the common source inductance for each switching transistor (such as an IGBT). Switching loss is reduced and fuel economy is improved for the electric vehicle with minimal impact on packaging size and at no additional cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhuxian Xu, Chingchi Chen
  • Patent number: 9876336
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switching apparatus of a three-phase-isolated type includes: two first main buses and extending in parallel at an identical height; a first connection bus interconnecting the first main buses; a first divergence bus diverging downward from the first connection bus; and a first circuit breaker connected to the first divergence bus, wherein a connection portion between the first connection bus and the first divergence bus is disposed at a position lower than the height at which the first main buses extend, and a grounding switch is disposed above the connection portion between the first connection bus and the first divergence bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Shinohara, Yasuhiro Tsukao, Masato Kawahigashi, Masahiro Fujioka
  • Patent number: 9461387
    Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting two panels having switchgear has: two cups having a truncated cone shape for arrangement in a panel, the cups each having a conductor end extending through the tip of the cone and into the cup; an insulating body having two opposite truncated cone shaped outer surfaces each for reception in one of the cups and having a central passage; an electrically conducting element for connecting with the conductor ends extending in the central passage of the insulating body; wherein the insulating body is a molded body having an earth wire molded in; and wherein a coating of an electrical conducting layer is arranged on the earth wire and at least part of the insulating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: EATON INDUSTRIES (NETHERLANDS) B.V.
    Inventors: Dinant Heilersig, Marcel Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 9412073
    Abstract: Automation security in a networked-based industrial controller environment is implemented. Various components, systems and methodologies are provided to facilitate varying levels of automation security in accordance with security analysis tools, security validation tools and/or security learning systems. The security analysis tool receives abstract factory models or descriptions for input and generates an output that can include security guidelines, components, topologies, procedures, rules, policies, and the like for deployment in an automation security network. The validation tools are operative in the automation security network, wherein the tools perform security checking and/or auditing functions, for example, to determine if security components are in place and/or in suitable working order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David D. Brandt, Kenwood Hall, Mark Burton Anderson, Craig D. Anderson, George Bradford Collins
  • Patent number: 9237663
    Abstract: Industrial motor control apparatus and techniques are presented for mitigating incident energy associated with an internal arcing. Interior enclosure surfaces and/or surfaces of electrical components are provided with textures and/or coatings which may be non-reflective with respect to visible and/or infrared light in order to redirect or absorb incident energy associated with internal arcing conditions. The electrical components are also arranged so as to substantially minimize the percentage of back wall exposure, and filler material and/or tile structures may be mounted within the enclosure, which may be non-reflective and/or have textured surfaces or coating layers to mitigate incident arcing energy. In addition, baffles or barriers may be provided within the enclosure to redirect or absorb incident energy from internal arcing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel M. Bugaris, Daniel Robert Doan
  • Patent number: 9214459
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: a substrate; circuit units arranged above the substrate, each of the circuit units including a first electrode, a second electrode, a first switching element and a second switching element electrically connected in series between the first electrode and the second electrode, a capacitor electrically connected in parallel to the first switching element and the second switching element between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an AC electrode connected between the first switching element and the second switching element; and a housing that encloses the circuit units. A common potential is applied to the first electrodes of the respective circuit units, a common potential is applied to the second electrodes of the respective circuit units, and the AC electrodes of the respective circuit units are connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuto Takao, Takashi Shinohe
  • Publication number: 20150124375
    Abstract: Electrical enclosures are provided that include arc resistant features designed to add structural strength for arc containment, to inhibit arc propagation, and/or to direct the release of pressure within and/or from the enclosure in order to provide arc resistant electrical enclosures. In general, the arc resistant features may be designed to provide enclosures where in the event of an arc fault, the doors and covers remain closed, parts are not ejected from the enclosure, holes are not produced in the enclosure, indicators located in close proximity to the enclosure do not ignite, and/or grounding connections remain effective. Further, the foregoing features may be designed to provide electrical enclosures that comply with industry guides and standards for arc resistant ratings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Rachel M. Bugaris, David T. Rollay, Chester Malkowski, Jerome Charles Lange
  • Publication number: 20150116911
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arc deflecting and ventilation assembly (100) comprising of a slotted unit (102), wire mesh arrangement (106) and an array of are plates (108). The slotted unit (102) is provided with a plurality of slots (104) and is fixedly mounted to the electrical enclosure (109) and is provided with an open face (110), a closed face (112) and a wall structure (114). The arc deflecting and ventilation assembly (100) provides ventilation to the electrical enclosure (109) during normal conditions and also in an event of arcing. The present invention also provides systems (101) for arc deflecting and ventilation of hot gases generated within electrical enclosures (109).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Gautam Sharma, Nithiyiaprakash Jagadeeswaran, Siva Chavali
  • Patent number: 9013862
    Abstract: A module assembly for the application-specific construction of power factor correction, filter, and absorption circuit systems in selectively non-choked, choked, protective or thyristor-connected design, comprising a busbar system, fuse holders, switch components, at least one choke, and power capacitors. A first module unit has a first section for receiving busbars, fuse holders, fuses, a busbar cover as protection against accidental contact with the busbar, and a second, trough-like section for receiving switch components that can be mechanically fixed and electrically contacted. A second module unit is designed to receive switchable capacitor winding blocks, enclosing the at least one winding block, insulating the same. The first and the second module unit each have a base region, wherein mechanical and/or electrical connections are led via apertures in the base regions, such that either a back-to-back assembly with direct docking of the first and second module units can be affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: System Electric GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Holbe
  • Publication number: 20150103472
    Abstract: Circuit breakers with a rotary handle attached to an inwardly oriented shaft that connects to a gear assembly that translates rotational input to linear input also include a trip assist spring in communication with the rack gear so that, in operation, the trip assist spring applies a force to the operator slider and forces the handle to a consistent trip position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen W. Oneufer, Robert A. Morris, Daniel B. Kroushl
  • Patent number: 9007746
    Abstract: A cabinet structure for a switchgear assembly. The cabinet structure includes a cabinet having upper and lower vents and a breaker cradle for holding a circuit breaker having primary disconnects for connecting the circuit breaker to bus bars. The cabinet further includes an air passageway located between the upper and lower vents, wherein the air passageway extends vertically through the primary disconnects and the cabinet. Further, the cabinet includes a fan module having at least one fan for drawing outside air through the lower vent, the air passageway and the primary disconnects for cooling the primary disconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rajvanshi, Harry W. Josten, James Keith Flowers
  • Patent number: 8982538
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a switchgear assembly is provided. The guide assembly includes an elongated support member and a passage. The support member is coupled to and extends from a housing assembly rear sidewall. The support member extends in the circuit breaker assembly direction of travel. The passage is disposed on the circuit breaker assembly base and also extends in the circuit breaker assembly direction of travel. The support member is substantially aligned with the passage. In this configuration, as the circuit breaker assembly moves between a withdrawn position and an installed position, the support member moves between a first position, wherein the support member is not disposed in the passage, and a second position, wherein the support member is partially disposed in the passage. When the support member is in the second position, the support member bears a portion of the weight of the circuit breaker assembly base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brad Robert Leccia, Steven Castelein, Francois Jean Marchand
  • Patent number: 8976526
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a medium voltage drive system includes a transformer, multiple power cubes each coupled to the transformer, and a manifold assembly. Each power cube includes cold plates each coupled to a corresponding switching device of the cube, an inlet port in communication with a first one of the cold plates and an outlet port in communication with a last one of the cold plates. The manifold assembly can support an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit and further support first and second connection members to enable blind mating of each of the first connection members to the inlet port of one of the power cubes and each of the second connection members to the outlet port of one of the power cubes to enable two phase cooling of the plurality of power cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Devdatta P. Kulkarni, Thomas Keister, Manzoor Hussain, Scott Simmons, Ut V. Pham, Rose Craft, Randall Pipho
  • Patent number: 8937802
    Abstract: A terminal box for electrical connection to an electric motor, in particular to a circulating pump, includes at least one housing part, designed as a cast plastic part, and an operating switch wherein the operating switch is arranged on the housing part, wherein at least one fixed electrical switch contact of the operating switch is embedded in the housing part. The pump aggregate features one such terminal box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventor: Jorgen Ellegaard
  • Patent number: 8934217
    Abstract: A power operator for switchgear for use in mains power distribution systems such as public medium high voltage distribution systems, where the switchgear comprises a closed cabinet (5) with an operating shaft protruding therefrom that is rotatable between two positions and has a coupling part. The motor operator includes a housing (11, 20, 21, 27) which is mountable on an external surface (4) of the switchgear cabinet (5), and a rotatable connection shaft connected to an electromechanical linear actuator. The connection shaft has a first coupling part which connects with the coupling part of the switchgear in a longitudinal axial sliding and non-rotational interlocking manner. The housing (11, 20, 21, 27) is a tube element which is tamper resistant, is relatively easy to seal against dust and moisture, and is inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Bruno Christensen, Anders Lorenzen, Verner Smidt, Jens N. Paulsen, Glenn Smith
  • Patent number: 8922977
    Abstract: In an electrical distribution cabinet a mechanism providing quick, reliable, passive arc blast control has a flue chamber surrounding the likely arc site such as an electrical connection point. The flue chamber provides a flue channel which lengthens the arc and attenuates the current and temperature until the arc is extinguished. Preferably, the flue chamber and channel are formed of opposable open-faced polyhedral structures, one fitting inside the other. The mechanism is particularly suited for draw-out circuit breaker connections in a switch gear cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Robert Faber
  • Publication number: 20140368976
    Abstract: A spout for a connection between a bus bar and a circuit breaker in switchgear includes a housing and a fixed contact. The housing is formed of insulative material and includes a tubular body having an inner cavity and a radial first ventilation opening, a base portion having a first longitudinal opening, and a fixed contact receiving portion having a second longitudinal opening. The fixed contact is formed of a conductive material, has an outer contact surface exposed through the second longitudinal opening, and forms a portion of an outer surface of the spout. A switchgear includes a wall dividing a circuit breaker compartment from a bus bar compartment, and the base portion of the spout is securable to the wall. A method of increasing heat dissipation within switchgear using the spout includes securing a bus bar to the outer contact surface, and dissipating heat through the radial ventilation opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hao WU, Liying LI, He MENG, Xuhui REN, Rui XING, Fangwei ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8913370
    Abstract: A spout assembly is provided. The spout assembly includes a spout and a spout base. The spout base has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a spout sized to enclose an electrical switching apparatus electrical coupling. That is, the spout base includes a CT support surface with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the spout cross-sectional area. Current transformers are disposed upon the spout base CT support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Brad Robert Leccia, Steven Z. Chen
  • Patent number: 8896988
    Abstract: A system having electrical equipment integrated on a structure is provided. The system includes at least one electrical equipment located at a spaced apart relationship and mounted on at least one structure. A method is provided for isolation of electrical equipment. The method includes opening and closing a contact by engaging or disengaging one or more terminals of the electrical equipment correspondingly with a supply line or a distribution line by a mechanism for isolation. The mechanism can be a handle or a moving mechanism which is associated with a movement in a vertical direction or horizontal direction or with a movement that provides isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Dukkaiappan Subbaiahthever, Ramesh Viswanathan, Balachandra Narayan Varade, Maheswaran Chandrasekaran, Satish Baburao Bhalerao, Kishor Bhikaji Wadhe
  • Patent number: 8891229
    Abstract: A truck (12?) for mounting a circuit breaker (13) in a switchgear frame (14?) includes wheels (16), a racking screw (20), a nut (22) threaded with the racking screw. The nut floats linearly with respect to the truck. A spring (23) is provided between a portion of the truck and the nut such that during movement of the truck into the frame, rotation of the racking screw causes linear movement of the nut, with the nut pushing against the spring, with the spring pushing the truck to move the truck linearly. Locking structure is coupled with the such that when the truck is stopped and the racking screw continues to rotate, the nut will move to compress the spring, causing the locking structure to move from an unlocked position, disengaged with the frame, to a locked position, engaged with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fischer-Carne, Robert S. Karnbach, Rahul Pawar
  • Patent number: 8885327
    Abstract: A switchgear having an electrified conductor accommodated in a tank in which insulating gas is contained includes a fixed contact connected to the electrified conductor, a movable contact installed to be contactable and separable to and from the fixed contact, an insulating rod that is externally extended from inside of the tank while being electrically insulated from the tank and turned by an operation device, and an insert that is extended from an end of the insulating rod toward the movable contact and is rotatably supported by a holding part installed in the electrified conductor. A flange part that is installed in the insert at a position where the holding part opposes the insulating rod and is extended in a substantially right-angle direction with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the insulating rod is formed on the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Kawahigashi, Takashi Harada
  • Patent number: 8873223
    Abstract: A circuit interconnect device racking apparatus is disclosed. The circuit interconnect device racking apparatus has a body adapted to couple to a circuit interconnect device, one or more frame connectors coupled to the body, a racking lever coupled to the body by a lever pivot, the racking lever having a cam mechanism component, and one or more bus connectors configured to connect to or disconnect from one or more bus bars responsive to rotation of the racking lever. Circuit interconnect device racking assemblies having the circuit interconnect device racking apparatus and methods of connecting circuit interconnect devices to one or more bus bars are disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Rahn, Brian Campbell, Russell J. Wedemeyer, Thomas W. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8854795
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear including a circuit breaker, a first through third switches, a voltage transformer, a cable head, a gas insulated busbar unit, and first and second current transformers is provided. The gas insulated busbar unit is connected with the second current transformer and the first and second switches are connected with a bottom of the gas insulated busbar unit. The third switch is connected with the first current transformer, the cable head is connected with the third switch, and the voltage transformer is connected with a top of the cable head. The first and second current transformers are respectively connected with first and second sides of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Choon Kim
  • Patent number: 8842421
    Abstract: An arc-resistant switchgear enclosure has a vent opening and a vent flap. Normally the vent flap is open to allow air to circulate through the enclosure. However, in the event of an arc fault explosion in the enclosure, the vent flap is forced to close by the explosion. As the vent flap closes, a flexible latch member moves along a keeper and prevents the vent flap from reopening. In some embodiments, the latch member contacts the keeper and props the vent flap open for normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Central Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Gingrich
  • Patent number: 8837116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power switch cabinet of a device for producing electric energy. The technical object of obtaining optimum scalability and cooling of a power switch cabinet despite little space being required is achieved according to the invention in that the power switch cabinet has a machine connection, a power module and a mains connection, wherein the power module has a machine converter, a mains converter, a direct voltage intermediate circuit and a chopper, and the arrangement of the components substantially corresponds to the direction of the power flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Woodward Kempen GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Eichler, Hans-Georg Nowak, Marianne Hitpaβ
  • Patent number: 8827778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover for at least one air-conditioning device arranged on a cladding element, in particular of a switchgear cabinet. The cover has a cover housing having a front wall and side parts connected thereto. The side parts keep the front wall at a distance from the cladding element. At least one holder for the cover housing is fitted to the cladding element. According to the invention, the holder comprises vertical hook elements into which the cover housing can be suspended by hook receptacles in the direction of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reiner Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8791361
    Abstract: An arc-resistant switchgear enclosure has interior compartments with outlet vent openings that are selectively closed by vent flaps. The vent flaps are propped in an open position by props that extend from the vent flaps and contact supports. The props have a latch portion that latches the vent flap when the vent flap is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Central Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Gingrich
  • Patent number: 8792226
    Abstract: A heat transfer system includes an electrical distribution cabinet extending about at least one current-carrying conductor. The heat transfer system also includes at least one electrically-insulating and thermally-conducting device coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor. The heat transfer system further includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the at least one electrically-insulating and thermally-conducting device. The heat pipe is also thermally coupled to at least a portion of the electrical distribution cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sandeep Dhar, Peter James Greenwood, Janaki Gadiyaram, Manish Prasad
  • Patent number: 8785770
    Abstract: An arc-resistant switchgear enclosure is designed so that an arc explosion in any interior compartment is isolated from the remaining interior compartments and vented to the exterior of the enclosure. The enclosure has upper and lower front compartments and a rearward compartment. The lower front compartment vents to the exterior of the enclosure between the upper front compartment and the rearward compartment. An extension extends across this vent between the upper front compartment and the rearward compartment, the extension being part of one of the upper front compartment or the rearward compartment. The extension houses electrical connections between the rearward compartment and the upper front compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Central Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Gingrich
  • Publication number: 20140198429
    Abstract: There is provided a main circuit switchgear that includes a breaker; a leg part that supports the breaker; a disconnector that is connected to the breaker; a leg part that supports the disconnector; a metal container that accommodates therein the breaker and the disconnector and includes a bottom plate in which an opening is provided at a position corresponding to a position of the leg part, where the leg part is fixed onto the bottom plate, and a support frame that includes a top panel on which the bottom plate is placed and a leg part that supports the top panel, where the leg part is fixed onto the top panel via the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Kawakami, Toru Yamashita, Hirokazu Otani, Daisuke Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140192455
    Abstract: An inverter device has an inverter stack and a switchboard housing the inverter stack. The inverter stack has an output relay bar connected to an output terminal thereof, and a lower frame configuring a bottom portion and formed from a plurality of frame members connected to form each side of a cuboid. The lower frame is formed such that the frame members configuring one side of a four-sided frame being penetrated by the output relay bar are formed of a non-magnetic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yoshida, Tomokazu Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20140160635
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a switchgear assembly is provided. The guide assembly includes an elongated support member and a passage. The support member is coupled to and extends from a housing assembly rear sidewall. The support member extends in the circuit breaker assembly direction of travel. The passage is disposed on the circuit breaker assembly base and also extends in the circuit breaker assembly direction of travel. The support member is substantially aligned with the passage. In this configuration, as the circuit breaker assembly moves between a withdrawn position and an installed position, the support member moves between a first position, wherein the support member is not disposed in the passage, and a second position, wherein the support member is partially disposed in the passage. When the support member is in the second position, the support member bears a portion of the weight of the circuit breaker assembly base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRAD ROBERT LECCIA, STEVEN CASTELEIN, FRANCOIS JEAN MARCHAND
  • Patent number: 8749956
    Abstract: In an electrical cabinet (110) for an electrical power unit that carries out electrical power switching for at least multiple electrical power switching equipment (50), the electrical power switching equipment (50) is attached to a front of at least a support grid rack (31) arranged as a matrix with n rows and p columns, where n and p are greater than or equal to two. Each piece of equipment (50) is attached to the grid rack at a slot (34) in the grid rack, open to the front of the grid rack (31) and to the rear of the grid rack to allow installation from the front of the equipment and to allow access from the front to the rear of the grid rack through the slots (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventor: Bernard Guering
  • Patent number: 8748771
    Abstract: A switchgear panel comprises an enclosure having an internal volume suitable to accommodate corresponding electrical or electronic equipment, and an arc protection assembly which is operatively associated to a wall of the enclosure. The arc assembly comprises at least a first barrier element having a first surface which is provided with one or more first through openings defining each a respective same first venting area, and a second barrier element which comprises a second surface provided with one or more second through openings defining each a respective same second venting area. The first venting area of each first through opening is different from the second venting area of the second through openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Walter-Salvatore Franco
  • Patent number: 8743532
    Abstract: In order to obtain a switchgear which can improve heat dissipation efficiency, in the switchgear which dissipates heat outside an apparatus vessel, the heat being generated from an electrical apparatus placed in the apparatus vessel, the switchgear includes a first heat conductor in which one side is connected to a heat generation portion of the apparatus vessel and the other side is extended toward the apparatus vessel side, a second heat conductor in which one side is disposed near the other side of the first heat conductor and the other side is extended outside the apparatus vessel, and an insulating member between conductors disposed between the other side of the first heat conductor and one side of the second heat conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomotaka Yano, Satoru Yoshida, Masahiro Arioka
  • Patent number: 8733855
    Abstract: Modular bucket assemblies enable selective configuration of switchgear compartments for conformance with selective levels of personnel accessibility to energized switchgear. The bucket assemblies can be configured to enable personnel access to energized compartments while service doors are open, such as for instrumentation compartments. Interiors and the front face of instrumentation compartment bucket assemblies are isolated from potential infiltration of hot arc gasses in the switchgear cabinet. Other compartments can be configured to enable personnel access to the front face of a fully closed door energized circuit breaker compartment by isolating the compartment door exterior and venting any hot arc gasses out of the compartment interior in a direction away from the front and other peripheral sides of the switchgear cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry W. Josten, Keith Flowers, Rahul Rajvanshi
  • Publication number: 20140139976
    Abstract: A clamping element is configured for mounting a rail element bearing electrical/electronic devices on a supporting portion of a switchgear cabinet. The clamping element includes a body provided with a coupling portion configured for engaging with an opening portion of the rail element. The coupling portion is configured for enabling the body to be at least one of coupled with and removed from the rail element when the body is positioned in a first configuration relative to the rail element. The coupling portion is configured for hindering removal of the body from the rail element when the body is positioned in a second configuration relative to the rail element. The clamping element also includes a clasping device protruding from the body and configured for removably connecting the body to the supporting portion to mount the rail element within the switchgear cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Fabrizio SANTONI, Matteo MAGRI
  • Patent number: 8717741
    Abstract: A busbar connection system for coupling a first busbar segment to a second busbar segment includes a mounting component defining a slot and configured to be coupled to the first busbar segment, a retaining component configured to be coupled to the second busbar segment, and a connecting member including a first end and an opposing second end. The first end is configured to be coupled to the mounting component and the second end is configured to be coupled to the retaining component. The busbar connection system also includes a pivot member configured to be operatively coupled to the first end and shaped to be received within the slot. The pivot member enables the connecting member to pivot about the mounting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ruben Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 8717745
    Abstract: The method of the invention makes it possible to cool electrical switchgear operating at medium voltage and high current, such as a circuit breaker. The method consists in inserting serially two heat pipes (11) inside said switchgear, putting a first end (11A) of the first heat pipe (11) in the hot portion of the hot portions (10A, 10C) of the circuit breaker (10) and a second end (11B) of the first heat pipe (11) in a portion that is cooler (10A) of the hot portions (10A, 10C). The other heat pipe (11) is put between the cooler of the hot portions (10A) and a cooler part of the circuit breaker (10). A particular application is provided for medium-voltage, high-current circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Denis Frigiere, Didier Rodrigues, Jean-Marc Willieme, Frank Jacquier
  • Publication number: 20140104758
    Abstract: A switching device for electric power distribution, includes a breaker that is electrically connectable to a conductor, and an electrically conductive housing to which the breaker is mounted. The device provides a current path between the breaker and the conductor. The housing houses at least one guiding member for operating the breaker and a first part of the current path, the first part being electrically connected to the breaker. The device also includes a switch for electrically connecting the breaker to the conductor, the switch having a switch element movable to a first position where the switch element is connected to the first part and the conductor, movable to a second position where the switch element is disconnected from the conductor and connected to the first part and a grounded element, and movable to a third position where the switch element is disconnected from the conductor and the grounded element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Tom-Rune Bjortuft, Thor Endre, Paal Kristian Skryten, Havard Hadland, John-Anders Tveten, Stanley Lohne
  • Patent number: 8681482
    Abstract: This disclosure describes examples of an apparatus to enclose components of a switching assembly of an automatic transfer switch. In one embodiment, the apparatus, or arc chamber cover, has a housing made of material with optical properties that permit observation of the interior of the housing. A mounting assembly couples to the housing. The mounting assembly secures the apparatus to the automatic transfer switch. In one example, the mounting assembly comprises feet comprising a material with mechanical properties that can withstand pressure and other forces inside of the interior chamber. The apparatus also includes one or more baffles to control the flow of gasses and control electric arcs within the switching assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Srikantaiah, Arthur Michael Evans, Sudarshan Allada, Pravin Pralhad Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20140035289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch cabinet arrangement of a device for generating electrical energy, wherein the switch cabinet arrangement comprises at least two separate power switch cabinets. The technical object of achieving an optimum scalability of devices for generating electrical energy with at the same time a simple installation and maintenance of the power switch cabinets despite a small available installation space, is achieved according to the invention in that the power switch cabinets respectively comprise a machine connection, a power module, a mains connection and a decentralised control unit, wherein the power module comprises a machine converter, a mains converter, a direct voltage intermediate circuit and a chopper, and wherein the power switch cabinets are electrically connected in parallel to one another via the machine connection and the mains connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Woodward Kempen GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Eichler, Hans-Georg Nowak, Marianne Hitpaß
  • Publication number: 20140036418
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power switch cabinet of a device for producing electric energy. The technical object of obtaining optimum scalability and cooling of a power switch cabinet despite little space being required is achieved according to the invention in that the power switch cabinet has a machine connection, a power module and a mains connection, wherein the power module has a machine converter, a mains converter, a direct voltage intermediate circuit and a chopper, and the arrangement of the components substantially corresponds to the direction of the power flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Woodward Kempen GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Eichler, Hans-Georg Nowak, Marianne Hitpaß