Electrical Switchgear Patents (Class 361/605)
  • Publication number: 20020071242
    Abstract: To provide a gas insulation switch reducing the SF6 gas use amount without damaging the insulation performance and arc extinguishing performance, the present invention uses SF6 gas as insulating gas to be charged in the grounding tank 1 of a unit having a switching unit of the breaker 5, the disconnecting switches 3, 4, and 8, and the grounding switches 6, 7, and 9, for example, the line unit 190 and uses gas having a smaller warming coefficient than that of SF6 gas, for example, nitrogen gas 23, or air as insulating gas to be charged in the grounding tank 1 of a unit having no switching unit, for example, the main bus units 100 and 110 and the connection bus unit 160.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokio Yamagiwa, Hiroki Honma, Koji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6404620
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a hand truck and a releasably attachable unit including an electric meter, a circuit breaker panel box and an electrical receptable which may be electrically coupled. The hand truck has a rectangular frame connected to a handle means for controlling its movement at the top end and at the other end a base plate that projects forwardly and a pair of braces that extend rearwardly from the frame. The pair of braces provide housing for a wheel assembly comprising heavy duty wheels on an axle. The braces and wheel assembly allow for facilitating movement over rough terrain and stairways. The apparatus includes a lockbar for security and to prevent movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Charles S. Piccione
  • Patent number: 6388867
    Abstract: A seal apparatus having a seal member and a plurality of fasteners is mounted on an arc hood of a cassette in a switchgear cabinet and resists leakage of arc gases through a gap between the arc hood and a circuit breaker mounted in the switchgear cabinet. The seal member is flexibly received against the circuit breaker in a racked position and is preferably at least nominally deflected thereby to resist the flow of arc gases in a leakage direction through the gap. The seal member thus resists the arc gases from coming into contact with a plurality of line conductors at the rear of the circuit breaker until the arc gases have at least somewhat cooled, deionized, and/or slowed. The seal apparatus thereby resists arc gases from inducing arcing between adjacent line conductors, whereby the circuit breaker can be operated at substantially higher voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Richard Rakus, William John Jones, James Jeffery Benke
  • Publication number: 20020054474
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switchgear is miniaturized and bus-bars connected to bushings are simplified in configuration. A distance L between outer peripheries of a first vacuum interrupter 12 and a second vacuum interrupter 13 is established to be smaller than an external diameter D of the vacuum interrupters 12 to 14, and insulating barriers 28 to 30 are installed between the first vacuum interrupter 12 and the second vacuum interrupter 13, between the first vacuum interrupter 12 and a hermetically sealed container 11, between the second vacuum interrupter 13 and the hermetically sealed container 11, and between the first and second vacuum interrupters 12 and 13 and the third vacuum interrupter 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromi Koga, Yoshihiro Okawa
  • Patent number: 6373686
    Abstract: An object is to provide a key protection structure for an electronic apparatus which can prevent a preset value of a switch from being intentionally changed by the user or the like. When setting of a first switch 21 is ended, a tool shutter operation portion 72 of a lock key 70 is inserted into a first shutter operation hole 61. The tool shutter operation portion 72 is then engaged with an engaging recess 45 of a first shutter 40. Thereafter, the lock key 70 is rotated, so that the first shutter 40 is rotated. A covering portion 44 of the shutter is therefore moved immediately above the first switch 21 to close a first switch operation hole 58, whereby the first switch 21 can be locked (key-protected) so as not to be externally operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Ogawa, Hajime Takakuwa, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Kiyotaka Tomioka
  • Publication number: 20020012225
    Abstract: In a hybrid type gas insulation switch gear apparatus, an enclosure includes a cylindrical branched portion branched from a cylindrical body so as to be inclined obliquely upward. An insulating gas is sealed therein. Insulating enclosures are mounted to the enclosure and the cylindrical branched portion, a disconnecting switch is arranged within the enclosure and electrically connected to the bushing. A circuit breaker is arranged within the insulating enclosure and electrically connected in series to the disconnecting switch. A current transformer is arranged on the cylindrical branched portion. A connecting conductor is arranged in between the circuit breaker and the disconnecting switch and an earth switch mounted to the enclosure, and an insulating member for supporting a primary electrode and the bushing conductor on the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Kozo Matsushita, Shinsuke Uchino, Masaru Nozawa, Akihiro Yoshimi, Atsushi Abumiya, Kazutoshi Ogata, Yoshinori Nagafuchi, Toshiyuki Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20020001170
    Abstract: A system for assembly and maintenance of connection modules in a high-voltage switchgear. The assembly and maintenance is performed in a service bay in the vicinity of the switchgear. Modules which are to be assembled, replaced or repaired are transported between the service bay and the site in the switchgear area by a service vehicle. The vehicle, the connection modules and the positions for the base plates are so adapted that the service vehicle can move about in the switchgear area while the switchgear is in operation. A special aspect of the invention is the special design of the service vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: LEIF SKOLD, TORBJORN LINDER
  • Patent number: 6318679
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting computer peripheral equipment, such as disk drives or CD ROMs, comprises a drive cage and rails. The drive cage, a part of a computer chassis, defines several bays for receiving disk drives or CD ROMs therein. The drive cage has side walls forming bends whereby each pair of bends defines a receiving channel in each bay, and spring tabs project into each bay. Two rails each having a leading end and spring fingers are attached to sides of the CD ROM for slidably mounting in the corresponding bay of the drive cage. The leading end of the rail facilitates alignment the receiving channel. The spring fingers abut against with the bend of the channel to prevent clearance from forming between the bend and the rail. When the CD ROM is fully inserted into the bay, the spring tabs are attached to the rail thereby providing good grounding and easy installation capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andy K. Yang, Phillip Ting
  • Publication number: 20010005306
    Abstract: A switchgear comprising a cable compartment, a bus conductor compartment for housing bus conductors arranged at the upper portion of a cable compartment with their back faces in alignment and an interrupter compartment disposed at the boundary portion between the bus conductor compartment and the cable compartment to intrude from the front. An upper insulating partition wall is disposed in the upper half portion of the interrupter compartment for defining a partition between the bus conductor compartment and having a penetration hole through which the terminal of the interrupter can pass, and a lower insulating partition wall is disposed in the lower half portion of the interrupter compartment for defining a partition between the cable compartment and having a window through which the terminal of the interrupter can pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: Masahiro Arioka, Masashi Negawa
  • Patent number: 6229690
    Abstract: The invention concerns a horizontally divided switchgear, including compartments for high voltage and for cable connection. The cable connection compartment is common to one or more switchgear cubicles and is a compartment separated from the high voltage compartment(s) of the cubicle(s). In the switchgear is included one or more switchgear cubicles defined by vertical (12, 13, 14) and horizontal (15, 16) walls. The cubicle is arranged with only high voltage equipment, while connection means (18) for incoming and outgoing current cables are arranged exteriorly underneath the lower horizontal wall (16) of the cubicle. Bushing means (17) for cable conections are arranged in the lower horizontal wall (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Jan Fivelstad, Christer Arnborg
  • Patent number: 6215654
    Abstract: A switchgear assembly in which a number of cells housing electrical switching apparatus such as circuit breakers are vertically stacked in a forward compartment has combined arc shield/wire trays between cells for terminating secondary wiring for easy access through front doors on the switchgear assembly and for protecting the secondary wiring from circuit breaker arc gases. The arc gases are deflected by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined panel forming the back wall of the wire tray. A vertical wall forward of the inclined panel mounts a lower horizontal row of terminal blocks forward of an upper row. A wireway has a vertical section in a forward corner of the cabinet beside the vertically stacked cells which communicates with the wire trays, and a horizontal section extending rearward under the top wall of the cabinet. An inclined gutter provides a transition between the top of the vertical section and the forward end of the horizontal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Wilkie, II, Douglas Kim Frantz, Neal Edward Rowe, John Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 6205017
    Abstract: Power switches are fix mounted in a switchgear cabinet by providing terminal sections on power conductors at the rear face of the switch housing which extend vertically beyond the housing. The power switches slide into cells in the cabinet through a front opening with projections on the sides of the switch engaging slots in mounting panels in the cabinet. The terminal sections of the power conductors are then accessible through the front opening for connection to the buses in the switchgear cabinet. Runbacks secured to the lower power conductors on the bottom power switch extend into a rear compartment in the cabinet for the connection to power cables as the power switch is inserted into the front compartment. A unitary arc shield/wire tray slides into the front compartment above the power switches after connection of the terminal sections to the buses and is removable to provide subsequent access to the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Wilkie, II, Steven Dale Walker
  • Patent number: 6175486
    Abstract: The invention relates to switch gear comprising at least one group of n power switches (4), which extend substantially in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the front of the switch gear, at least one busbar compartment (13,13′) containing n busbars (14,14′) for each group of n power switches (4), which busbars (14,14′) are positioned parallel to the front, wherein each busbar compartment (13,13′) is enclosed by at least four walls, two of which are perpendicular to the front, at least one group of n busbar disconnecters (3,3′), for making and breaking contact between busbars (14,14′) and respective output terminals (21) of the power switches (4), wherein the output terminals of the power switches (4) are constructed as coupling elements (21), to each of which a linkage (24) is connected and a further linkage (24′) can be connected in an opposing direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the n busbars (14,14′) extend along one of the w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Elin Holec High Voltage B.V.
    Inventor: Ijsbrand Paulos Johannes Maria Ponsioen
  • Patent number: 6145943
    Abstract: A switching cabinet which is enclosed by wall elements and a door. An assembly plate is placed parallel to a vertical side wall. The assembly plate can be moved in a direction of the associated side wall by sliders on at least one guide rail and brought into a position for mounting. Limited mounting opportunities, because of the guide rails, are thus avoided by designing the guide rails as a separate part, by providing positioning units which are detachably secured to the switching cabinet, and by being able to remove the guide rails from the cabinet after the assembly plate is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reuter, Paul Root
  • Patent number: 6141206
    Abstract: Main circuit breakers and/or tie circuit breakers are connected by upper and lower disconnects to upper and lower sections, respectively, of split risers in a low voltage switchgear assembly. An upper horizontal bus is connected to the upper sections of the split risers while a lower horizontal bus is connected to the lower sections. However, with the main or tie breaker mounted in the "C" position of a switchgear section, the gap between the upper and lower sections of the split risers is positioned vertically such that one of the phase conductors of the lower horizontal bus is above the gap. A unique connector extends downward from this phase conductor and is connected to the corresponding phase of the lower section of the vertical bus through the lower stab which engages the lower disconnect for the main or tie breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney William Bruner, William Edward Wilkie, II
  • Patent number: 6134100
    Abstract: The encapsulation (1) of a gas-insulated switchgear assembly is supported at both ends (7, 9) on a foundation (11). To this end, mounting device (12) are provided at the first end (7) and are anchored in the foundation (11) such that they cannot move. At the second end (9), the mounting device (13) are designed such that they can move with respect to the foundation (11), in the longitudinal direction of the encapsulation (1). This avoids mechanical stresses in the assembly. A force absorbing member is also provided at the first end (7), which transmits horizontal forces from the encapsulation (1) to the foundation (11), and thus relieves the load on the mounting device (12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Heinz Hageli, Markus Vestner, Martin Zurcher
  • Patent number: 6134101
    Abstract: The gas-insulated, metal-enclosed switchgear assembly contains two, three or more switchpanels, each having a multipole power breaker (CB.sub.1, CB.sub.2, CB.sub.3, CB.sub.4) as well as isolating and grounding switches per switch pole (CB.sub.1R) and is designed like a ring or in a 11/2 power-breaker circuit. The switch poles of the power breakers are each of identical design and are arranged parallel to one another. The switchpanels each have one current path of U-shaped design per phase in a vertical plane, in which current path the base of the U contains a vertically aligned pole of the power breaker, and the two limbs of the U each contain an electrical connection of the power breaker and an isolating as well as a grounding switch. The upper limbs of the U of one of the switchpanels are connected phase-by-phase to the lower limbs (S.sub.u) of another of the switchpanels, by means of respective single-phase gas pipelines (L.sub.12 (R), L.sub.23 (R), L.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bucher, Lorenz Muller
  • Patent number: 6127742
    Abstract: The electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a fixed part (1) and a removable part (2) designed to be connected to the fixed part to be connected to a power distribution system (4) and to a communication network (6). The removable part (2) comprises a communication circuit (23) and a first addressing device (24) connected to a first address input of the communication circuit (23). The fixed part (1) comprises a second addressing device (18) designed to be connected to a second addressing input of the communication circuit (23). To communicate, the communication circuit chooses in priority the address supplied by the second addressing device. If this address is not valid, it then chooses the address supplied by the first addressing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventor: Luc Weynachter
  • Patent number: 6127641
    Abstract: An attachment of high-voltage lead-in insulators (1, 1') on enclosure housings (1, 1') using elbow-shaped additional housings which have rotary joints to allow the insulators to rotate in order to maintain a connection distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Meinherz
  • Patent number: 6121566
    Abstract: The switchgear comprises a circuit breaker connected between a generator and a transformer, together with a disconnector connected between the circuit breaker and the transformer, the disconnector having a fixed pole common to three positions: a first position and a second position respectively for connecting together or isolating the transformer and the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker is respectively closed or open; and a third position for grounding the fixed pole when the circuit breaker is open. The fixed pole of the disconnector is electrically connected to the transformer, thereby making it possible to interconnect or to isolate or to ground the tranformer while using only one disconnector included in the switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T&D SA
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Biquez, Jean-Marc Willieme
  • Patent number: 6111745
    Abstract: The interface conductors, stabs and runbacks, which are engaged at first ends by quick disconnects on electrical apparatus in a switchgear assembly, are fabricated from a stacked pair of elongated, flat conductors secured together at the first ends by elongated fasteners which are compressed into countersunk through apertures in the flat conductors to form a joint with no lateral projections. The interface conductors are supported adjacent the disconnects by a first support having a base member with through openings in which the conductors are snugly supported, and rigid projections with planar surfaces extending from the base member toward the quick disconnects alongside the openings and against which the interface conductors are secured adjacent free ends of the projections. A second support spaced rearward of the first support provides additional support for the runbacks. Interphase supports formed by C-channels are provided for the runbacks between the first and second supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Wilkie, II, Rodney William Bruner, Neal Edward Rowe, Steven Dale Walker
  • Patent number: 6091039
    Abstract: The gas-insulated line comprises a conductor (1A) disposed inside a case (3A) filled with a dielectric gas under pressure. A power capacitor (5) is electrically connected to the conductor while being disposed inside a compartment (3P) secured to the case (3A) and filled with a dielectric gas under pressure. The dielectric gas present in the compartment (3P) provides electrical insulation for the compartment relative to the power capacitor (5). In this way, electrical insulation of the gas-insulated line between the conductor (1A) and the case (3A) is maintained inside the compartment (3P) in which the power capacitor (5) and the conductor (1A) are electrically interconnected. This results in the gas-insulated line of the invention retaining small bulk and the ability to be used on the ground or buried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventors: Van Doan Pham, Marcel Guillen, Michel Collet
  • Patent number: 6072159
    Abstract: A heater for the middle, bus bar compartment of a switchgear cabinet is inserted from the rear compartment through an opening in a vertical panel at the rear of the middle compartment and is supported within the middle compartment by a bracket cantilevered from the panel. The bracket is U-shaped with a horizontal base and a pair of upstanding side walls forming rails on which the heater slides. The heater includes an inverted U-shaped guard over the heater element forming downwardly facing slots which engage the bracket rails. The guard and the bracket are perforated for convective circulation of air induced by the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Wilkie, II, Steven Dale Walker
  • Patent number: 6069787
    Abstract: An enclosure for electrical switching apparatus has a base formed by a planar member which extends horizontally to support the enclosure on a support surface. The planar member is generally rectangular with an upturned flange along at least one edge and preferably along three edges, including the front edge and the adjoining side edges. At least one, and preferably a spaced pair of pry slots are provided in these three edges. The pry slots extend into the planar member and the flanges to provide leverage for pry bars. The flanges are stiffened by inwardly directed lips extending along their free edges. The enclosure includes a front section and a rear section with the planar member forming the base for the front section. The electrical switching apparatus is mounted in the front section so that the center of gravity of the enclosure is located there. Preferably, the pair of pry slots both in the front edge and side edges straddle the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: William Edward Wilkie, II
  • Patent number: 6040538
    Abstract: Switchgear is provided that includes a housing enclosing electrical components having switch blades that establish visible open gaps in an open position. The switchgear includes an array of operating controls and viewing provisions to observe the open switch blades. The operating controls and viewing provisions are accessible from a first direction and are arranged at a first area of the housing while cable interconnection provisions are accessible from a second direction and are arranged at a second area of the housing. Thus, operating personnel can utilize the viewing provisions and the operating controls without being exposed to the area of the cable interconnections. In one specific arrangement, an array of operational displays is provided, with the displays overlying the viewing provisions and being movable to permit use of the viewing provisions. In a preferred arrangement, the switchgear includes multi-pole switchgear assemblies which are assembled from individual pole-unit assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. French, Raphael H. Guio, Henry W. Kowalyshen, Buddy B. McGlone, Gregory C. Mears, John C. Opfer
  • Patent number: 6025657
    Abstract: A power operator for switchgear and the like is provided that is capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any decoupling or mode selection. The power operator is compact and easily affixed over a manual operating shaft of switchgear. The manual drive capabilities are always coupled for operation without any backdriving of the power source. The power operator includes a drive output affixed to the switchgear operating shaft, a manual operating shaft, and an arrangement for selectively coupling a power-driven input to the switchgear operating shaft. In a specific arrangement, the control arrangement of the power operator senses the position of the drive output and also senses the current drawn by the drive source. When controlling switchgear having a stored energy mechanism, operating positions are detected by sensing the tripping of the stored energy mechanism via the sensed current through the drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignees: S&C Electric Company, S&C Electric Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Steve Chung-Bun Lo, Todd W. Klippel, Douglas B. Hill, Terrence S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6002579
    Abstract: A switchgear unit comprising two switching devices (1, 2) which are provided with a reversing combination, which switchgear unit is of simple design and allows easy assembly and disassembly by the customer. The reversing combination comprises an assembly which is composed of a support (3) and an anchor (4) and is inserted into slots (7, 8) in connecting side walls (5, 6) of the switching devices (1, 2). The anchor (4) prevents the contact carriers (10) of the switching devices (1, 2) from being released at the same time and, when one of the switching devices (1 or 2) is switched on, prevents the contact carrier (10) of the other switching device (2 or 1) from being released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Drexler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5991148
    Abstract: This metal-enclosed, gas-insulated switchgear assembly is provided with at least one multiphase switch panel which is mounted on a foundation surface (8), with in each case at least one power breaker (1, 2, 3) per phase which extends along a longitudinal axis (4, 5, 6), these longitudinal axes (4, 5, 6) being arranged in a first plane, with at least one busbar system which is arranged in at least a second plane and extends along busbar axes (13, 14, 15) and in which the busbar axes (13, 14, 15) have a distance (s) between them. The distance between centers between a first connecting stub (16, 17, 18) and a second connecting stub (25, 26, 27) of the power breaker (1, 2, 3) is at least three times and at most four times as great as the distance (s) between the busbar axes (13, 14, 15). The power breakers (1, 2, 3) may be arranged offset and aligned in a row, resulting in very compact switch panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Franz Heil, Piero Tecchio
  • Patent number: 5949641
    Abstract: The neutral cross bus in a switchgear assembly formed from two sets of side-by-side cabinets includes first and second neutral buses for the respective sets of cabinets. Each neutral bus is made up of a stack of flat conductors oriented horizontally in a main section extending across the cabinets of the set and vertically in a terminal section confronting the terminal section of the other neutral bus. The vertically oriented terminal sections are easily bolted together despite their limited accessibility when the two sets of cabinets are installed side-by-side. The flat conductors of the neutral cross bus are supported in their horizontal main sections by spaced supports formed by planar members with spaced horizontal slots set on edge and mounted by end flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Dale Walker, William Edward Wilkie, II
  • Patent number: 5905631
    Abstract: Guide members to guide the guide edges of plug-in units upon insertion of the plug-in units into the U-shaped bus duct of a low voltage switchgear assembly. The guide fittings are arranged on the inside of the side legs of the U-shaped bus duct, and the plug-in units are held between the side legs of the bus duct. Each of the guide members extends from and is made of the same material continuous with its corresponding side wall of the bus duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Klockner-Moeller GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Winkler
  • Patent number: 5898565
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear apparatus comprising connection conductors connected to a connection portion to breaker side, disconnectors connected to the connection conductors, cable heads connected to the disconnectors, lightning arresters having one end connected between the disconnectors and the cable heads, single phase voltage transformers provided in one of three phases and having one end connected between the disconnectors and the cable heads and a disconnector cylindrical vessel filled with an insulating gas and containing the connection conductors, the disconnectors, the cable heads, the lightning arresters and the single phase voltage transformers therein. The cable heads are disposed so that the axis of the disconnector cylindrical vessel and the axes of the cable heads are parallel. The lightning arresters are disposed so that the axis of the disconnector cylindrical vessel and the axes of the lightning arresters are parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamauchi, Masazumi Yamamoto, Kiyokazu Torimi, Hiroki Sanuki
  • Patent number: 5895987
    Abstract: A power operator for switchgear and the like is provided that is capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any decoupling or mode selection. The power operator is compact and easily affixed over a manual operating shaft of switchgear. The manual drive capabilities are always coupled for operation without any backdriving of the power source. The power operator includes a drive output affixed to the switchgear operating shaft, a manual operating shaft, and an arrangement for selectively coupling a power-driven input to the switchgear operating shaft. In a specific arrangement, the control arrangement of the power operator senses the position of the drive output and also senses the current drawn by the drive source. When controlling switchgear having a stored energy mechanism, operating positions are detected by sensing the tripping of the stored energy mechanism via the sensed current through the drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Steve Chung-Bun Lo, Todd W. Klippel, Douglas B. Hill
  • Patent number: 5818004
    Abstract: In a gas-insulated transmission line for transmitting electric power between the substations, a bus change-over disconnecting switch for connection to a reserve circuit is provided at a portion where the gas-insulated transmission line is connected to a gas-insulated switchgear in order to improve reliability, and a first circuit and a second circuit are connected to the reserve circuit by using the change-over disconnecting switch. Therefore, even if grounding fault occurs on the two circuits at worst, transmission of electric power is reliably maintained without causing power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Masatomo Ohno, Tetsuo Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 5801331
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with a door and with a cover secured to its top side. In order to make it easier to mount the cover on the switchgear cabinet, the cover has a bottom part connected to the top side of the switchgear cabinet and a top part that covers the bottom part. The top part is joined at a rear side to the bottom part by plug or hinge joints and has at its front side holding flaps that are hooked and held by a bent border of the switchgear cabinet door when the cover and door are in their closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Zachrai
  • Patent number: 5757614
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear device of a double bus type which is accommodated in a metal container filled with SF.sub.6 gas includes first and second gas insulated main buses disposed horizontally and substantially in parallel with each other. Bus sectioning units section each of the first and second main buses into first and second sections. The bus sectioning units include auxiliary buses disposed outside of said first and second main buses. A branching bus connects one end of the first main bus with one end of one of the auxiliary buses via a circuit breaker. Another branching bus connects the other end of the first main bus with the other end of the one of the auxiliary buses. Still another branching bus connects one end of the second main bus with one end of another auxiliary bus. A further branching bus connects the other end of the second main bus with the other end of the other auxiliary bus. Potential transformers are provided along the branching buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Hachida, Hirohiko Yatsuzuka, Takanobu Aoyama, Tadasuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5594221
    Abstract: A secondary disconnect arrangement, in the form of a plug connector attached to the sides of a high ampere-rated circuit breaker assembly, interacts with a receptacle connector attached to the inner side walls of a circuit breaker enclosure. Movement of the circuit breaker in and out of the enclosure automatically connects and disconnects the plug connector from the receptacle connector. Terminals arranged on the plug connector on one side of the circuit breaker connect with internal circuit breaker components for communication and control functions, while terminals arranged on the plug connector on the opposite side provide connection between the internal circuit breaker components and remote auxiliary devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rebecca C. Drumbor, William H. Calder, Martin C. Ignasiak
  • Patent number: 5578804
    Abstract: A metal-enclosed, gas-insulated switching installation includes at least two busbar systems and a circuit breaker. Each circuit breaker is in the form of a pole having a pole axis and at least one extinction chamber, installed in a pole housing. The pole axes are arranged perpendicularly to a foundation and are located in a first plane. The switching installation includes an electrically conductive connection, extending along a connecting axis, of the voltage-carrying extinction chamber of the circuit breaker to each of the busbar systems and an isolator arranged in the connection between the busbar and the circuit breaker pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventors: Ernst Berger, Franz Heil, Herbert Schifko, Piero Tecchio
  • Patent number: 5578805
    Abstract: A metal-enclosed, gas-filled switchgear unit has at least two busbar systems and a circuit breaker which respectively has per pole a pole axis and at least one arcing chamber built into a pole housing constructed as a metal enclosure. The pole axes are arranged perpendicular to a foundation and lie in a first plane. Furthermore, the switchgear unit respectively has an electrically conductive connection, extending along a connecting axis, between the live arcing chamber of the respective pole and each of the busbar systems. A metal-enclosed, gas-filled switchgear unit is provided in which the insulation and the fastening of the arcing chambers of the circuit breaker poles are substantially simplified and reduced in cost. The arcing chamber is connected in a force-closed fashion to the at least two current terminals and the arcing chamber is positioned by these alone in the metal enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventors: Ernst Berger, Franz Heil
  • Patent number: 5578792
    Abstract: An interconnection arrangement is provided for the appropriate interconnection of predetermined assemblies and modules affixed to the exterior of an enclosure of pad-mounted gear, while also shielding the interconnections from the medium-voltage sections of the pad-mounted gear. The interconnection arrangement may be utilized either during manufacture of the pad-mounted gear or as a field retrofit installation. The interconnection arrangement includes a base assembly which defines predetermined enclosed cable pathways through which the interconnecting conductors are routed. The interconnecting conductors are provided by preassembled and pre-routed cable harnesses within the defined cable pathways. The interconnection arrangement also includes internal and external duct structures that extend the cable pathways through the base assembly and into the individual enclosures for the assemblies and modules affixed to the exterior of the enclosure of the pad-mounted gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventors: David H. Devonald, III, Leonard V. Chabala, Albert F. Cowsky, Michael P. O'Dell
  • Patent number: 5574378
    Abstract: A non-ferrous current sensor is used to continuously measure the charging current magnitude in step-graded foil and paper insulation systems and capacitive insulation systems used on high voltage measurement and control apparatus such as instrument transformers and on the condenser bushings of power transformers and circuit breakers. The low voltage measured signal is conditioned by an electronic circuit such that it modulates a DC signal in a system current control loop to provide continuous remote monitoring and alarm functions. Remote power is supplied to the sensor and conversion circuits through the current loop. The sensor detects changes in the charging current through the insulation ground conductor, indicating the degradation of the dielectric properties between the foil layers. The sensor and associated electronic circuitry are enclosed in a housing adaptable to be used with a capacitance tap common to high voltage measurement and control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Nicholas S. Powers
  • Patent number: 5541808
    Abstract: An active filter device is provided for incorporation into a switchgear lineup. The switchgear lineup has a plurality of electrical sections including a main circuit breaker section and a load circuit breaker section spaced from the main circuit breaker section. The active filter device is applied as an integral part of the power distribution switchgear equipment, positioned between the main circuit breaker section and a load circuit breaker section. From a single location, power quality is improved for the aggregate of all loads connected to the switchgear and the upstream source. The power quality improvement may include harmonic current attenuation, harmonic voltage attenuation, load balancing, high speed power factor correction, and reduced magnitude voltage sags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Bastian
  • Patent number: 5515235
    Abstract: Proposed is an integral transfer switch and load circuit breaker assembly for use in electrical equipment enclosures. The switch and load circuit breakers are mounted to one wall of the enclosure so that the transfer switch handle is located outside the enclosure, while the switch mechanism is inside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Harry R. Stoller
  • Patent number: 5483416
    Abstract: A barrier arrangement for use in a multiple-phase padmounted switchgear includes a pair of insulated upper and lower barrier panels mounted in spaced vertical tandem and stationary relation one above the other so as to define a gap therebetween and an insulated intermediate barrier panel disposed adjacent to the gap between the upper and lower barrier panels. The barrier panels are disposed within an enclosure of the switchgear between the pairs of multi-phase switchgear assemblies. The intermediate barrier panel is mounted to the upper barrier panel so as to undergo sliding movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the lower barrier panel so as to respectively open and close the gap between the upper and lower barrier panels in response to insertion and withdrawal of a transversely disposed additional barrier panel through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Melvin B. Goe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5477017
    Abstract: A racking assembly is provided for racking a circuit breaker into and out of electrical switchgear having a cell adapted to receive the circuit breaker and a cell door for enclosing the circuit breaker within the cell, the racking assembly includes a shaft having a first end adapted to be coupled to the circuit breaker and a motor coupled to a second end of the shaft for applying a rotational torque to the shaft. An anti-rotation assembly is coupled to the motor for preventing the motor from rotating when it is applying the rotational torque to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: David L. Swindler, Gary T. Jones
  • Patent number: 5469050
    Abstract: A high-voltage measurement device for an electrical high-voltage switchboard plant having an measurement electrode built into an encapsulating housing, as well as an electrical conductor which conducts a measurement signal provided by the measurement electrode, connected with the electrode, and passed through the wall of the encapsulating housing in insulated manner. To protect operating personnel from high voltage which occurs at the conductor, the conductor is grounded by metal springs outside the encapsulating housing. These metal springs can be lifted up from the conductor if necessary, by means of activation elements. This is done, for example, by setting a switchboard housing onto a measurement housing which surrounds the conductor. If the switchboard housing is removed, the conductor is automatically grounded again by the metal springs. This high-voltage measurement device can be used for all types of gas-insulated high-voltage switchboard plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Lorenz, Jorg Gorablenkow
  • Patent number: 5434369
    Abstract: An automatic secondary disconnect mechanism for an electrical switchgear apparatus having an enclosure and a removable circuit device is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, the automatic secondary disconnect mechanism comprises a guide rail mounted to the enclosure so as to extend substantially parallel to the racking motion of the circuit device; a slide member slidably mounted on the guide rail; apparatus for locking the slide member in place on the guide rail at a point corresponding to a test position of the circuit device; and apparatus for releasing the slide member when the circuit device reaches the test position from the disconnect position. One of a pair of mating secondary contact members is coupled to the slide member, while the other mating contact member is coupled to the circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Power T & D Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Tempco, Murray K. Jones, Levern Ellerbe
  • Patent number: 5291369
    Abstract: A three-pole, metal-encased, pressurized-gas-insulated, high-voltage switchgear may include a single-pole, encapsulated, high-voltage power switch. Breaker units are located in a pressure chamber and are arranged with longitudinal axes thereof parallel to one another, and are attached to a bearing component which also carries the casing of the drive. In order to increase the mechanical rigidity of the bearing component, a shared gear casing with two partitions is provided for the switching mechanism, to which the breaker units are attached via bearing rings. The bearing rings, held by bridges, lie in front of three apertures on a side wall of the gear casing, to the flanges of which the pressure chambers are also attached. In the interior of the gear casing, carriers for the bearings of the drive shafts are provided, which proceed from the partitions or an outer wall. All bearing and sealing surfaces of the gear casing lie in parallel planes in each case, and can be machined in a single clamping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Kelch, Manfred Meinherz
  • Patent number: 5257161
    Abstract: A coupling system for coupling switchgear modules comprises cover-guards wherein the cover-guards of two adjacent modules to be coupled to each other face each other. The cover-guards have enlarged portions which are received in the holes of two modules and are sealed to the modules by O-rings. Each cover-guard has at a base thereof a hole in which a contactor member having a tab is fixed and sealed such that two tabs in two adjacent modules lie in coaxial opposition. The system further includes an insulating mount which is simultaneously plugged into both cover-guards and provided in its hollow interior with a metal tubing member in which are housed a number of conductive elements that tend to grip the conductive tabs by action of circular springs or coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Javier O. Ocerin
  • Patent number: 5245506
    Abstract: A switchboard assembly comprises a plurality of circuit breaker compartments each having plural-phase power supply side disconnecting parts and load side disconnecting parts disposed thereinside, a plurality of conductor compartments having plural-phase power supply buses disposed thereinside, and a plurality of circuit breakers each having plural-phase circuit breaking parts accommodated in each of the circuit breaker compartments. In the switchboard assembly, the plural-phase circuit breaking parts are disposed in the depthwise direction of the circuit breaker compartments, and each of the conductor compartments is disposed between the opposing ones of the circuit breaker compartments so as to reduce the overall size of the switchboard assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Tanimizu