Busbar Arrangements Patents (Class 361/648)
  • Patent number: 7196900
    Abstract: Embodiments of a power distribution apparatus that is adaptable to be readily mounted within a variety of differing types of electronic equipment racks are herein described. One such embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having an upper mounting adapter. The upper mounting adapter may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein. Another embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having a lower mounting adapter. The lower mounting adapter may be attachable to the housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed in the housing. A further embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having at least one mounting peg mounting in mating holes formed in a rack. The mounting pegs may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy
  • Patent number: 7193841
    Abstract: A heat-insulating member for a circuit assembly is interposed between a bus bar substrate to construct a circuit assembly in a compact structure and to provide a heat-insulating member that can be easily installed in the circuit assembly and constructed effectively in a thermal design. A control circuit substrate for performing a heat-insulating function between both the substrates. The bus bar substrate includes a plurality of bus bars constituting an electrical power circuit, circuit components to be connected to the electrical power circuit, and a plurality of upright terminals extending from the given bus bars. The control circuit substrate includes a control circuit for controlling the circuit components and is provided with through-holes into which the upright terminals are inserted and connected electrically. The control circuit substrate is disposed substantially in parallel to the bus bar substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Kita
  • Patent number: 7136278
    Abstract: A company switch-type of electrical switchgear is disclosed having improved safety characteristics and having a reduced profile. The electrical connections are typically all enclosed in one area facing one direction such that access to the connections can be controlled and interlocked with one or more main breakers. By enclosing the connections in one area and directing the leads out of the enclosure in one direction, the size of the enclosure can be reduced while the safety of its use is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lex Products Corp.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Allen
  • Patent number: 7136277
    Abstract: There is provided a method and a basepan assembly for a panel board. The basepan assembly comprises a basepan having a bottom portion and at least one sidewall. A first bus bar is mounted in the bottom portion of the basepan. A second bus bar is mounted to its side proximate the side wall of the basepan. The side wall can include fasteners to couple the second bus bar to the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Reggie Davis, Jeffrey K. Hudgins, Jr., Brian Rusch
  • Patent number: 7075021
    Abstract: A multiple-hole terminal lug is for a circuit breaker including a load terminal and a conductive terminal extension coupled thereto. The multiple-hole terminal lug includes a mounting portion and a receiving portion having a plurality of receptacles for electrically coupling a corresponding plurality of electrical cables to the load terminal. Secondary mounting holes in the mounting portion align with primary mounting holes in the terminal extension in order to receive fasteners therein and secure the multiple-hole terminal lug in a first or second mounting configuration sloping upward or downward with respect tot the longitudinal axis of the terminal extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Neal E. Rowe, Michael H. Abrahamsen, Stanley E. Moore, Timothy Fair, Marlyce J. Scott
  • Patent number: 6922332
    Abstract: An electric connection box includes upper and lower cases which accommodate therein bus bars, an insulator for the bus bars, fuses, and first relays. A relay module mounted with second relays is accommodated in the upper and lower cases. The electric connection box includes the relay module, but is compact in size, light in weight, low-priced, and low in heat generation due to contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Fumikazu Naimi, Kazuo Miyajima, Masami Takase, Koichi Shima, Kiyoshi Takezawa, Akihiko Hirata
  • Patent number: 6920038
    Abstract: A renovation load center includes an enclosure, a branch circuit assembly mounted in the enclosure, and two renovation terminal blocks having a side and a plurality of first terminations electrically connected to at least some of the incoming lines and the branch conductors of a distribution system. Each renovation terminal block includes a plurality of second terminations. Each of the first terminations is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the second terminations. Each pair of one of the first terminations and the corresponding one of the second terminations is disposed on the same side of the renovation terminal block and is electrically isolated from at least one adjacent pair of another one of the first terminations and a corresponding one of the second terminations. A plurality of cables are electrically connected between the second terminations and the branch circuit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Gehlbach
  • Patent number: 6916184
    Abstract: The electrical connector housing contains a power distributor panel including a printed circuit board, one face of which carries conductors and semiconductor switching elements and the other face of which is adhered with a busbar. The electrical connector housing further contains a laminated-busbar unit connected to a power source circuit. A first tab is formed from one end of the busbar fixed to the power distributor panel, or by welding with the conductors, and is protruded beyond a first sidewall of the power distributor panel, while a second tab is formed from a busbar extending from the laminated-busbar unit. These tabs are connected by a relay system. The electrical connector housing thus manufactured can be assembled efficiently, its maintenance is easy, and the semiconductor switching elements used therein can be replaced easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Yamada
  • Patent number: 6915567
    Abstract: An housing of a meter unit is inserted from above into a meter unit support hole which is provided in the rear handle cover. Engagement claws of the housing are engaged with claw receiving portions of the rear handle cover, thereby prevent the housing from coming out. Male connector is provided beforehand in the rear handle cover, and inserting the housing of the meter unit into the meter unit support hole causes the female connector of the housing to be automatically connected to the male connector, thus completing the wiring work of the meter unit. The wiring work on the meter unit supported on the rear handle cover of the motorcycle can therefore be performed easily and reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakao, Yukihiro Hayasaka, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6888066
    Abstract: For use in switchgear equipment having channel bus bars joined together at a bus joint, there is provided a channel bus splice assembly and method. The channel bus splice assembly comprises switchgear or switchboard equipment having channel bus bars joined together at a bus joint, there is provided a channel bus splice assembly. The channel bus splice assembly comprises an inner splice plate defining a plurality of throughbores. A sliding clamp plate is configured to reciprocally move within the inner splice plate. The sliding clamp plate defines a plurality of access ports. A pair of nut plates is coupled to the sliding clamp plate and having threaded orifices corresponding to selected throughbores in the inner splice plate. An outer splice plate having a plurality of throughbores corresponding to the threaded orifices in the nut plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. Wiant, Harry W. Josten
  • Publication number: 20040240159
    Abstract: A renovation load center includes an enclosure, a branch circuit assembly mounted in the enclosure, and two renovation terminal blocks having a side and a plurality of first terminations electrically connected to at least some of the incoming lines and the branch conductors of a distribution system. Each renovation terminal block includes a plurality of second terminations. Each of the first terminations is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the second terminations. Each pair of one of the first terminations and the corresponding one of the second terminations is disposed on the same side of the renovation terminal block and is electrically isolated from at least one adjacent pair of another one of the first terminations and a corresponding one of the second terminations. A plurality of cables are electrically connected between the second terminations and the branch circuit assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: James L. Gehlbach
  • Patent number: 6826036
    Abstract: A modular power distribution system is provided for distributing power within an equipment rack. A control unit is mounted within the rack having a power input connected to a power source and a converter for converting the input power to a power supply for the rack equipment. The control unit includes a housing and power outlets are provided for electrical connection to the control unit and distributing the converted power supply to the equipment. One or more extension bars are mounted within the rack adjacent a corner support of the rack. The extension bar includes a power inlet and is connected via an electrical conductor to one of the power outlets of the control unit. The extension bar includes a number of power outlets (such as up to or more than 8) adapted for electrical connection to power supply lines (cords or hardwiring) from the rack equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert A. Pereira
  • Patent number: 6813142
    Abstract: A single locking member secures bus bars of different current ratings in the elongated support of a load center interior. The locking member has a lip on an outer end forming an inwardly facing locking surface that engages an outer edge of either size bus bar. A first outwardly facing locking surface formed by a first transverse groove in the locking member engages an inwardly facing abutment surface on a flange on the elongated support to secure the narrower bus bar in a lateral slot in the elongated support. The flange on the elongated support seats in a second groove in the locking member, spaced farther from the lip to secure a wider bus bar in the slot in the elongated support. The invention also embraces a load center interior incorporating the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Seff
  • Patent number: 6781818
    Abstract: A bus brace comb assembly for use in a switchgear assembly. The switchgear assembly has a channel bus bar for conveying electrical current in each phase of the switchgear assembly. The bus brace comb assembly holds the bus bar in place against magnetic forces associated with short-circuit currents in the switchgear bus bar. The bus brace comb assembly comprises a front comb assembly including a first bus clip configured to position the bus bar and a front brace coupled to the bus clip. A rear comb assembly including an interlock clamp configured to engage the channel bus bar and a second bus clip secured to the interlock clamp with a fastener and a rear brace coupled to the interlock clamp/bus clip assembly. A flange of the channel bus bar is pinched in the interlock clamp/bus clip assembly to secure channel bus bar in the switchgear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventors: Harry W. Josten, Jason P. Wiant
  • Patent number: 6754066
    Abstract: A cabinet for an uninterrupted power source (UPS) is disclosed. The cabinet has three portions that characterize the frame. A front portion contains capacitor assemblies, power DC Link, power electronic components, and a control panel. The control panel and power DC Link are situated for front access and cover the power electronic components and capacitors. A rear portion holds a plurality of magnetic components. The magnetic components are accessible from the back of the cabinet and can be installed last in the assembly of the cabinet and configured for a specific voltage rating. A bus portion is divided from the front and rear portions and contains the bus bars for electrical connection of the UPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Kylam D. Doan, Ron Williams, James K. Martin, Randall Mathis, Mike Harper
  • Patent number: 6738692
    Abstract: A power conversion and energy management system preferably includes a controller, one or more standard modules, and a custom (or semi-custom) backplane. The backplane preferably accommodates one or more modules and uses the modules to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections. The standard modules are preferably power modules such as an inverter module, converter module, or grid connect module. In addition to accommodating the modules, the backplane can include system components other than power electronics. The backplane can, for example, include external connectors, disconnects, fusing, and so forth, for a given application. The backplane can further include internal DC and AC buses to interconnect the modules. The backplane can also include a communications module, a user interface, a socket for control firmware, and slots for accommodating the standard modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sustainable Energy Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Gerald W. Droppo, Brent Earle Harris
  • Patent number: 6724627
    Abstract: In the power distributor using a semiconductor switching element, input terminals 10I and 10L, output terminals 12A-12J, connected to the element, and more preferably, the board terminals 30 and 32, are structured by a metallic plate, and arranged on the same plane perpendicular to the plate thickness. The metallic plate can be integrated by the resin mold, thereby the structure can be greatly simplified. The metallic plate can be produced by a greatly simple method by which, after the punching out of the metallic plate and the molding of the resin mold, a predetermined portion of the metallic plate is cut and the semiconductor switching element is mounted, and it can contribute to also the reduction of the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Onizuka, Isao Isshiki, Shigeki Yamane
  • Patent number: 6671169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power converter comprising several semiconductors (1) and direct voltage and alternating voltage buses (8/9, 4) for electric contact between the direct and alternating voltage connections (3, 2) of the power semiconductors (1). The buses are divided into two parts so that the alternating voltage bus (4) and the direct voltage bus (8/9) do not come into physical contact with each other. One advantage of the invention is that no creepage paths between the direct voltage and alternating voltage buses need to be taken into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Rodscha Drabon
  • Publication number: 20030103322
    Abstract: A shielded serpentine extension, internal signal path and receptor result in a flexible shielded interface for a circuit board that can be formed consistent with efficient circuit board fabrication processes. The shielded serpentine extension, continuous with the circuit board, has a receptor at an end that is distal from the circuit board. The receptor has a signal contact and a shield contact adapted to receive a surface mount connector. A signal path internal to the serpentine extension couples the signal contact of the receptor to the circuit board. The serpentine extension has shielding disposed about the signal path that couples the shield contact to the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Leonard M. Weber, Terrence R. Noe
  • Patent number: 6570754
    Abstract: A load center is upgraded by removing the existing load center and replacing it with a renovation load center. As the existing incoming and branch circuit wiring may not be sufficiently long enough to reach the proper terminations in the replacement load center, renovation terminal blocks are provided in the renovation load center adjacent the penetrations of the external wiring to which the incoming lines, and if necessary, the branch circuit wiring are connected. Cabling is then provided between the terminations on the renovation terminal blocks and the appropriate load center terminations. The renovation terminal block(s) can be housed in an auxiliary enclosure mounted adjacent to a main enclosure containing the load center interior or all of the components can be housed in a single renovation enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brendan Arthur Foley, Jeffrey Alan Doneghue
  • Patent number: 6530811
    Abstract: An assembly for mechanically mounting and providing electrical connections to overcurrent protection devices having first and second male power plugs includes a non-conductive main structural support member having a plurality of plug passageways formed therein and one or more load busbar modules mounted thereon and also including a plug passageway formed therein, to enable the male electrical plugs to mate with sockets disposed in a conductive line busbar member mounted on said support member and with a socket disposed in a load busbar member included in each load busbar module. Each load busbar module includes a non-conductive housing and a releasable cover within which is mounted the load busbar member. A printed circuit board substrate is preferably also mounted to said support member to provide a support surface for auxiliary signal clip connectors disposed on one side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Michael Padulo, Imad Ghanem, Denis Mayer
  • Patent number: 6459570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a support base and neutral base for an interior assembly in an electrical distribution device and a method of assembling the same. The interior assembly having at least one bus bar and neutral bar connecting the electrical distribution device to a circuit having at least one phase. The neutral bar and bus bar having a bottom wall and side walls. The support base includes a generally planar body defining a mounting surface on one face of the body and means for mounting the bus bar on the mounting surface. The support base also includes means for retaining the bottom wall of the neutral bar abutting the mounting surface of the body. The retaining means is manually operated and integrally formed with the mounting surface and has a plurality of projections upstanding from the mounting surface. The projections are adapted to abut the side walls of the neutral bar so as to prevent movement in at least one direction horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Jeffery James Buchanan
  • Patent number: 6430036
    Abstract: A housing for electrical devices such as connectors, circuit breakers, and fuse panels. A cable outlet port member is separate from the housing to provide unidirectional resistance to movement of a cable relative to the housing. The non-integral relationship permits the members to be replaced in the event of damage. A busbar formed by a stamping and bending operation is also disclosed for use in combination with conventional circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Progressive Dynamics
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Cornell, Thomas H. Phlipot
  • Patent number: 6424520
    Abstract: A housing for electrical devices such as connectors, circuit breakers, and fuse panels. A cable outlet port member is separate from the housing to provide unidirectional resistance to movement of a cable relative to the housing. The non-integral relationship permits the members to be replaced in the event of damage. A busbar formed by a stamping and bending operation is also disclosed for use in combination with conventional circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Progressive Dynamics
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Cornell, Thomas H. Phlipot
  • Patent number: 6400559
    Abstract: The described current distributor has a bus bar, a plug socket connected to the bus bar, at least one contact element which comprises an access connection, a consumer tapping and an element connecting the access connection and the consumer tapping, at least one plug connection for the plug contacts of a protective switch, which has a plug socket of the bus bar and an access socket of a contact element, and two signaling lines. In order to produce such a current distributor inexpensively and to ensure reliability of operation, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the contact element comprises a one-piece member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: EFEN Elektrotechnische Fabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Werner Köhler, Jürgen Fischbach, Christian Kölbel, Günther Horaczek
  • Patent number: 6372989
    Abstract: An equipment carrier for electric installation equipment which is connectable, such as by bus bars, with a mounting support for the equipment carrier that includes an adapter lower portion that is connectable with the mounting support and an adapter upper portion, that serves for the reception of at least one installation equipment whereby the adapter lower and upper portions are formed as separate, connectable components as well as an adapter lower portion of a defined construction size being connectable with adapter upper portions of differing sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation AG
    Inventors: Karl Rischard, Peter Hilfiker, Jorg Mathiowetz, Emil Fuchs, Markus Muller
  • Patent number: 6362952
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a plurality of panel board electrical buses which are disposed within a panel board housing, said mounting assembly which includes a mounting plate and a bus insulator assembly. The mounting plate has a front side, a back side and a plurality of bus insulator assembly pin openings therethrough. The mounting plate is sized to fit within said panel board housing. The mounting assembly further includes bus insulator assembly pin openings located within conical depressions on said mounting plate. The bus insulator assembly has mounting pins. When assembled, the bus insulator assembly mounting pins pass through the bus insulator assembly pin openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Evan Schoonover, James M. Campbell, Victor Lee Cowser
  • Patent number: 6351715
    Abstract: An electrical integrated modular power node includes a power module having a common backplane with a plurality of bus bars for supplying the power requirements for the node, functional components and circuitry for connection through selected bus bars to a power supply for providing loads with power as required thereby with individual functional modules providing geometrical packages having bounding surfaces conforming to bounding surfaces of adjacent modules including the power module, for enclosing and supporting functional components and circuitry design so the conforming surfaces of the modules abut with one another in a position to be connected at abutting surfaces with at least some of the modules facing the power module to connect to connectors on the bus bars providing power as required by the load to which circuitry within the connected module is connected with the connectors mechanically supporting the modules relative to power module and to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: SPD Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: John I. Ykema
  • Patent number: 6331933
    Abstract: A power sub-frame is provided for a system unit. The power sub-frame has four walls defining first, second, third and fourth sides of a open, rectangular frame. A fifth side is open for receiving a plurality of power supply units for powering the system unit. A power distribution board located at a sixth side of the frame opposite to the open side, for making electrical contact to the power supply units. The power sub-frame can be manufactured as a sub-assembly for the system unit, facilitating manufacture, testing and maintenance. The power sub-frame can be pre-assembled with power distribution logic and cabling ready to be mounted in a system unit. The system unit can, for example, be a computer system unit for rack mounting in a telecommunications application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary S. Rumney
  • Patent number: 6327157
    Abstract: A two-piece bus bar electrically couples a printed circuit board to a power supply. The power supply is mounted to a chassis. A power supply bus bar extends from the power supply, defining a power supply bus bar plane. A first printed circuit board is mounted to the chassis and oriented in a plane that is not parallel with the power supply bus bar plane. A first printed circuit board bus bar extends from the first printed circuit board. At least one of the power supply bus bar or the first printed circuit board bus bar includes a bend that creates a parallel relationship between a mating portion of the power supply bus bar and a mating portion of the first printed circuit board bus bar. A first fastener couples the mating portions of the bus bars together. A second printed circuit board may be mounted to the chassis and oriented in a plane at right angles with the power supply bus bar plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Kristina L Mann, Charles Henry Rock, Samuel M. Babb
  • Patent number: 6317311
    Abstract: Contact bands for electrically connecting pluggable circuit breakers to ground and to distribution wires in a wiring system are housed in respective housings for protection. The housings are mounted on modular circuit breaker bus bar assemblies adapted to pluggably receive the pluggable circuit breakers, which have posts for pluggably engaging associated contact bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: TVM Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Middlehurst, Donald E. Wood, Jason S. Sloey
  • Patent number: 6301095
    Abstract: A system for distributing power to a plurality of electronic modules housed within an electronics cabinet includes an electronics cabinet and at least one power filter mounted to the electronics cabinet. At least one electronic module is housed within the electronics cabinet. A first bus bar is positioned within the electronics cabinet for receiving at least one power input cable. A second bus bar is positioned within the electronics cabinet and is electrically connected to the first bus bar and to the power filter. The second bus bar routes input power from the first bus bar to the power filter and routes filtered power to the at least one electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: 3COM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Laughlin, Laura M. Bendikas, Daniel J. Lecinski
  • Patent number: 6252310
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply, which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC, in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability. A DC isolation capacitor is connected to a common current path, such as to one of the busses, such as, for example, in series with the neutral circuit, as a means for avoiding undesirable DC current paths as may be encountered due to a multitude of established neutral-line connections to earthing grounds established throughout in AC power supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6205029
    Abstract: A chassis assembly for receiving power supply modules therein. The chassis assembly includes: (1) a cabinet, (2) an elongated bus bar assembly configured to be supported within the cabinet from a mount coupled to the cabinet, the bus bar assembly having a pair of conductors capable of receiving a terminal connector of a power supply module received into the cabinet and (3) a shelf, oriented laterally with respect to the bus bar assembly, that supports at least one power supply module received into the cabinet, the bus bar assembly being substantially free of terminal connectors and adapted to eliminate a need for support of a portion of a weight of the bus bar assembly apart from the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent M. Byrne, Edward C. Fontana
  • Patent number: 6205019
    Abstract: A switchboard for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers has all the breakers are mounted on one side of a vertical power stack. The power stack has vertical buses to which the breakers are connected. Insulators and spacers provide air ventilation paths through the power stack. The main bus connecting members on the other side of the power stack from the breakers and are spaced apart vertically to allow for improved heat dissipation. By using vertical bus connectors, the bus connecting members may be connected to through bus connectors at any height on the back of the switchboard. The main bus connecting members are in a vertical chimney for improved heat dissipation. The circuit breaker at the highest location (the “A” phase) has the highest temperature and in the present invention, the main bus connecting member for the A phase is in the highest position to place it closest to the heat source and thereby improve the heat conduction away from the breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krom
  • Patent number: 6201687
    Abstract: A modular furniture wall system includes active telecommunications equipment and wire management in an open office architecture and effectively provides a telecommunications closet as part of the office furniture. Slip-fit styled U-shaped members are attached to vertical frame members which form a rectangular opening within the furniture frame. L-shaped members are adjustable connected to each other and between the U-shaped members for providing a channel for routing wire between extending legs of the L-shaped members and a spaced support for the mounting of standard electrical equipment. Opposing pairs of shelf elements are carried by opposing surfaces of the U-shaped member and the L-shaped member, respectively, with each of the opposing pair of shelf elements having a horizontal surface for supporting equipment such as active telecommunications switches, patch panels and cross-connects with their front surfaces facing upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: American Access Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Murray
  • Patent number: 6191948
    Abstract: A device, used in particular in telecommunications technology to supply power to parallel-connected, electrical loads has side-by-side arranged potential lines. These are secured inside a connecting housing, with connections for supplying the operating potential. The connections supply plug-in modules for connecting individual loads, which modules are fitted against the connecting housing in longitudinal direction of the potential lines. The potential lines are configured as rigid, parallel bus bars that project on a side from the connecting housing. With the aid of passages that make contact with the bus bars, the plug-in modules are fitted side-by-side onto the bus bars, such that they fit against the connecting housing or against each other, and are frictionally secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Beyer
  • 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: 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: 6122160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for connecting one or more circuit breakers (7) directly to a distribution unit (10) for supplying power to radio base stations and for charging the batteries of such stations. As a result of mutually separating bottom circuit breaker connectors (8) and upper circuit breaker connectors in a power bar (9) constructed in accordance with the invention, the circuit breakers can be connected directly without requiring the presence of a circuit breaker holder to this end, therewith reducing the amount of space required for establishing such connections with respect to earlier known techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventor: Taru Johanna Hannula
  • 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: 6002580
    Abstract: A circuit breaker power distribution panel which is constructed in the form of a single unit. The panel includes an electrically insulative base which include first and second electrical connectors that are to respectfully removably connect to mating electrical terminals of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is to be removably connected to the panel. Imbedded within the panel and mounted on the electrically insulative base is an input busbar and an output busbar. The first electrical connector is part of the input busbar. The input busbar is electrically connected to the circuit breakers with the power from the circuit breakers being transmitted to the second electrical connectors which are also imbedded within the panel. A load terminal connects with each second electrical connector with there being a separate load terminal for each second electrical connector. There is a separate load for each circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Power Distribution Products International
    Inventors: Daniel M. LeVantine, Paul M. Deters
  • Patent number: 5952729
    Abstract: A junction box 2 is formed at a mounting portion of a meter unit 3 disposed at a central portion of a rear handlebar cover 1 in a motorcycle, and wire harnesses 12 and 14 connected to a vehicle body and a front handlebar cover are connected to the junction box 2. Bus bars 31 and 33 made of a metal plate or bar are integrally embedded within the rear handlebar cover made of a synthetic resin in order to electrically connect electric parts such as switches Ss, Sd, Sw, Sh and the like supported on left and right portions of the rear handlebar cover 1 and the junction box 2 to each other. Thus, it is possible to easily and reliably perform the wiring to the electric parts supported on the handlebar cover 1 in the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Shiratori, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Masazumi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5920456
    Abstract: A bonding screw is pre-assembled in a distribution panel in a non-bonding position that does not bond a neutral bar within the panel enclosure to the enclosure wall. This allows an installer of the panel to select between the option of maintaining the bonding screw in the pre-assembled non-bonding position and the option of positioning the bonding screw from non-bonding position to a bonding position. A basepan is disposed within the enclosure between the neutral bar and the enclosure's back wall. The non-bonding position is defined by the screw shank thread having a threaded engagement with a through-hole in a basepan, the head of the bonding screw being spaced from the neutral bar, and the shank of the bonding screw being spaced from the enclosure's back wall. The bonding position is defined by the head of the electrically conductive part being disposed against the neutral bar and the shank being threaded into an extruded hole in the enclosure's back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bozzone, William E. Rose
  • Patent number: 5866848
    Abstract: A method of providing power to a circuit module on a circuit board by connecting a bus leg to the circuit module via a conductor device wherein at least one V-shaped connector device is attached to the bus leg to connect the bus leg to the circuit module via the conductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Anthony Asselta, Albert Lawrence Balan, Stephen Boyko, James Edward Myers
  • Patent number: 5835341
    Abstract: An electric load center having a neutral bar having an elongated body portion with a trapezoidal shaped cross-sectional area with outwardly sloping downwardly extending side walls having apertures for insertion of electrical wires and a base portion having mounting rails being adapted to form a generally T-shaped slot, and a basepan having a surface with an upwardly extending flexible snap hook for engaging the mounting rail of the T-shaped slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Rhodes, Janerio N. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5805414
    Abstract: A neutral tie bar comprised of a unitary member having a center portion and vertically offset laterally extending ends. Disposed between the center portion and each end is a cable lug for a branch neutral cable. Extending between one neutral cable lug and an end is a neutral cable lug for an incoming neutral cable. The neutral tie bar being adapted to be electrically connected to the enclosure of the load center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Feldhaeusser
  • Patent number: 5786982
    Abstract: An electric load center having a basepan having a surface with two spaced apart integrally formed wall members extending upward from the surface forming a barrier between the bus bars of the load center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Rose, Christopher Bozzone
  • Patent number: 5786642
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system and method has storage battery mechanism of very large equivalent capacitance providing excellent ripple filtering and an ideal path to ground, and filter capacitor mechanism of microfarad size providing DC blocking and limited AC path to ground. The storage battery entity is maintained as to its charge by DC supply which provides regulated DC power in which switching regulation may be involved. The system and method provides dual voltage capability, both DC and AC in which circuit breakers may be ganged for simultaneous tripping, and in which intrinsic DC circuit(s) may be looped to increase current-carrying capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Nextek Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William George Wilhelm
  • Patent number: RE39461
    Abstract: A housing for electrical devices such as connectors, circuit breakers, and face panels. A cable outlet port member is separate from the housing to provide unidirectional resistance to movement of a cable relative to the housing. The non-integral relationship permits the members to be replaced in the event of damage. A busbar formed by a stamping and bending operation is also disclosed for use in combination with conventional circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Progressive Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Cornell, Thomas H. Phlipot