A coupling system for interrupter-conductor connections in high voltage circuit breakers

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a coupling system for securing an elongate rod to a link and a method for securing an elongate rod to a link, wherein the link links the elongate rod to a device. The coupling system includes a rotating member connected with a pin in a receiving portion of the link and a fastener secured to the rotating member. The elongate rod is secured to the fastener. The elongate rod can be a conductor rod and the device can be an interrupter for a circuit breaker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to connection systems, and more specifically to connection systems for connecting conductors and interruptors of high-voltage circuit breakers. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical equipment may include one or more circuit breakers to interrupt fault currents and prevent arcing faults. For example, a dead tank circuit breaker may have bushings extending from the outer surface of the tank, and conductors extending through the length of each bushing for connection to a circuit breaker. In some designs, the attachment between the circuit breaker and the conductor is achieved by clamping the conductor to the circuit breaker connection. Known methods of attaching conductors have difficulties in maintaining the desired contact between the conductor and the circuit breaker connection. Therefore, further improvements are needed in this regard. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One embodiment of this disclosure is a unique connection system for connecting conductors and interruptors in a circuit breaker. Other embodiments include means, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations thereof for connecting system components. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of this application will become apparent from the description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a connection system for connecting a conductor to a continuity switch.

[0005] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the connector that connects the conductor to the interrupter in the connection system.

[0006] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a portion of the connector, showing a channel for receiving the conductor.

[0007] Figure 4 It is the part on the back of the interrupter used for Figure 1 A front view of the location where the conductor is connected to the circuit breaker.

[0008] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the end of the conductor positioned in the receiving part of the connector and a portion of the bushing that receives the conductor.

[0009] Figure 6 This is a front view showing the conductor portion inserted into the receiving part of the connector.

[0010] Figure 7This is a front view showing the conductor finally inserted into the receiving part of the connector. Detailed Implementation

[0011] To facilitate understanding of the principles of the invention, embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings will now be described using specific language. However, it will be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any changes and other modifications to the described embodiments, as well as any other application of the principles of the invention as described herein, are expected to occur to those skilled in the art. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below, not all features of the actual implementation of the invention are described herein for clarity.

[0012] Reference Figure 1 In the illustrative embodiment, a system 10 is shown in which an elongated rod is fixed to a connector that connects the elongated rod to a device. In one embodiment, the elongated rod is a conductor rod 12, and the device is an interruptor 60 for a circuit breaker (not shown), which may be used, for example, in a high-voltage grounding box circuit breaker. A connection system 20 is provided to fix the conductor rod 12 to the connector 40, wherein the connector 40 electrically and mechanically connects the conductor rod 12 to the interruptor 60.

[0013] Further reference Figures 2 to 3 The connector 40 includes a base 42 with an extension 44 defining a receiving portion 52 for receiving the conductor rod 12. The base 42 has an L-shaped shape in the illustrated embodiment; however, other shapes are contemplated. The L-shaped base 42 includes a first leg 46 and a second leg 48 extending transversely to the first leg 46 away from the extension 44. The extension 44 extends outwardly from the first leg 46 at an inclined angle. The bottom surface 46a of the first leg 46 may be concavely curved to seat against a curved box or other curved structure; however, other shapes, including non-curved shapes, are contemplated. The extension 44 includes aligned holes 58a, 58b oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the conductor rod 12, as discussed further below.

[0014] The second leg 48 defines a cup shape to accommodate one end of the interruptor 60. The second leg 48 includes a plurality of holes 54 in an end plate 56 for receiving a fastener 50. The fastener 50 secures the connector 40 to the interruptor 60. The second leg 48 can be secured to the rear end or rearward end of the interruptor 60, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0015] An example of the rear end of the interruptor 60 is shown in Figure 4As shown in the diagram. The interruptor 60 may be located within a housing 64, and the interruptor 60 includes a rear face 62 for attachment to a second leg 48 of the connector 40. The rear face 62 includes a plurality of holes 66 that receive fasteners 50 extending through the second leg 48 to secure the connector 40 to the interruptor 60, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in the image.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, the coupling system 20 includes a rotating member 22, a pin 24, a fastener 26, and a retainer 28 (e.g., a set screw). The rotating member 22 is located in the receiving portion 52, the pin 24 extends through the rotating member 22, the rotating member 22 is mounted to the fastener 26, and the retainer 28 is used to secure the pin 24 in place. An electrical contact 30 is positioned around the conductor rod 12. In one embodiment, the electrical contact 30 is a flexible chain comprising a plurality of interconnected components made of a conductive material, which are capable of flexing inward during insertion of the conductor rod 12 and gripping or contacting the inner surface of the extension 44 and the outer surface of the conductor rod 12 in the receiving portion 52.

[0017] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 5 The rotating member 22 includes a cylindrical body 32 having an axial bore 36 for receiving a fastener 26 and a transverse channel 34 extending through the cylindrical body for receiving a pin 24. The rotating member 24 also includes an inner shoulder 38 that abuts against the head 80 of the fastener 26 to axially hold the rotating member 24 onto the fastener 26. The rotating member 24 also includes an outer shoulder 82 aligned with a first end 16 of the conductor rod 12. The rotating member 24 is not necessarily engaged with the first end 16, but such engagement is not excluded. Furthermore, the rotating member 24 may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the extension 44 to allow the conductor rod 12 to pivot relative to the extension 44 about a pin 24 transverse to the longitudinal axis L.

[0018] Fastener 26 extends along the longitudinal axis L of conductor rod 12 into end opening 18 of conductor rod 12. Fastener 26 may include threads or other suitable structures for engaging conductor rod 12 to axially constrain conductor rod 12 to fastener 26. Rotating member 22 is axially secured to extension 44 by pin 24 extending through channel 34 of rotating member and into aligned holes 58a, 58b in extension 44. Retainer 28 is secured in hole 58a to prevent pin 24 from dislodging from channel 34 and holes 58a, 58b.

[0019] During assembly, the rotating component 22 can be secured to the first end 16 of the conductor rod 12 by fasteners 26, such as Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, the electrical contact 30 is positioned adjacent to the first end 16 around the conductor rod 12. The conductor rod 12 may be configured to extend through a bushing, such as bushing 90. Figure 6 As shown, the fixed rotating member 24 is inserted into the receiving portion 52 of the extension 44, and the conductor rod 12 is rotated to align the channel 34 with the holes 58a, 58b of the extension 44.

[0020] When the conductor rod 12 is fully inserted into the extension 44 and the channel 34 is aligned with the holes 58a and 58b, the pin 24 is inserted into the hole 58a, through the channel 34, and into the hole 58b. The hole 58b may include a stepped profile that allows only partial insertion of the pin 24 into the hole 58b. The retainer 28 is then engaged with the hole 58a to retain the pin 24 in the holes 58a, 58b, and the channel 34. Thus, the conductor rod 12 is axially secured to the extension 44 of the connector 40 and electrically connected to the interrupter 60 via the electrical contact 30.

[0021] Various aspects of this disclosure are contemplated. According to one aspect, a system includes: an elongated rod; a connector including a receiving portion for receiving a first end of the elongated rod; and a coupling system located in the receiving portion of the connector for coupling the elongated rod to the connector. The connector includes a base for connecting to a device to be connected to the elongated rod. The coupling system includes: a fastener secured to the first end of the elongated rod; a rotating member mounted to the fastener; and a pin securing the rotating member to the connector in the receiving portion. An electrical contact is positioned about the first end of the elongated rod and engages with the connector in the receiving portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, the elongated rod includes an axially extending opening at a first end, and a fastener is secured to the elongated rod in the opening. In one embodiment, the elongated rod is threaded to the fastener. In one embodiment, the elongated rod is a conductor, and the device is a circuit breaker for a circuit breaker.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from a base, defining a receiving portion, and a pin located in a pair of aligned holes in the extension such that the pin extends transversely to the longitudinal axis through a rotating member for engagement in the aligned holes of the extension, and the rotating member is rotatable about the pin transversely to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the coupling system includes a retainer that engages in one of the pair of aligned holes for securing the pin to the extension in the aligned holes of the extension.

[0024] In one embodiment, the base is L-shaped, and an elongated rod extends outward from a first leg of the base, and a second leg of the base extends laterally beyond the first leg away from the elongated rod for connection to a device. In one embodiment, the second leg is cup-shaped and includes an end plate having a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners for securing the connector to the device. In one embodiment, the electrical contact is a flexible chain. In one embodiment, the electrical contact includes a plurality of helical / spring contacts.

[0025] In another aspect, a connection system for connecting a conductor rod to an interruptor is disclosed. The connection system includes a connector comprising a receiving portion for receiving a first end of the conductor rod and a base for connection to the interruptor. The connection system further includes a rotating member located within the receiving portion of the connector; and a pin for securing the rotating member to the connector within the receiving portion. The connection system includes a fastener secured to the rotating member within the receiving portion, and the conductor rod is engageable with the fastener. An electrical contact is positioned about the first end of the elongated rod and engages with the connector within the receiving portion.

[0026] In one embodiment, a fastener is secured in an end opening of the conductor rod. In another embodiment, the fastener is threaded onto the conductor rod. In one embodiment, the connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from a base and defining a receiving portion, and a pin is located in a pair of aligned holes in the extension such that the pin extends transversely to the conductor rod through a rotating member for engagement in the aligned holes. In one embodiment, a retainer engages into one of the pair of aligned holes for securing the pin to the extension in the aligned hole.

[0027] In one embodiment, the base is L-shaped, and the receiving portion extends outward from the first leg of the base, and the second leg of the base extends laterally away from the receiving portion from the first leg. In one embodiment, the electrical contact is a flexible chain.

[0028] According to another aspect, a method for connecting a conductor rod to an interruptor includes: engaging a rotating member to a first end of the conductor rod using fasteners; positioning the first end of the conductor rod in a receiving portion of a connector such that a channel through the rotating member is aligned with a hole in the connector and an electrical contact surrounding the elongated rod is positioned in the receiving portion to engage with the connector; and inserting a pin through the aligned hole in the connector and the channel of the rotating member to axially secure the conductor rod to the connector in the receiving portion.

[0029] In one embodiment, the method includes engaging a connector to an interruptor. In one embodiment, a fastener is threaded into an axially extending hole in a first end of a conductor rod, and a rotating member is mounted on the end of the fastener. In one embodiment, the method includes securing a pin in the aligned holes of the connector and the channel of the rotating member using a retainer engaged in a hole in the connector.

[0030] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, the drawings and the foregoing description should be considered illustrative in nature and not restrictive. It should be understood that only preferred embodiments are shown and described, and protection is intended for all changes and modifications falling within the spirit of the invention. It should be understood that although terms such as preferred, especially, or more preferred are used in the above description to indicate that such described features may be more desirable, these features may not be essential, and embodiments lacking these features may be contemplated as being within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0031] When reading the claims, it is intended that the use of words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least a portion” is not intended to limit the claim to only one item, unless expressly stated otherwise in the claim. When the terms “at least a portion” and / or “a portion” are used, the item may include a portion of the item and / or the entire item, unless expressly stated otherwise. Unless specified or limited, the terms “installation,” “connection,” “support,” and “linkage,” and their variations, are used broadly and include both direct and indirect installation, connection, support, and linking. Furthermore, “connection” and “linkage” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or links.

Claims

1. A system for a circuit breaker, comprising: A long, thin rod extending from a first end of the long, thin rod along a longitudinal axis; A connector, the connector including a receiving portion for receiving the first end of the elongated rod, the connector including a base for connecting to a device to be connected to the elongated rod; A coupling system, located in the receiving portion of the connector for coupling the elongated rod to the connector, the coupling system comprising: Fastener, the fastener being secured to the first end of the elongated rod; A rotating component, the rotating component being mounted to the fastener; Pins, which secure the rotating member to the connector in the receiving portion; and An electrical contact element, which is positioned around the first end of the elongated rod and engages with the connector in the receiving portion.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The elongated rod includes an axially extending opening at its first end, and the fastener is secured to the elongated rod in the opening.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The slender rod is threaded into the fastener.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The slender rod is a conductor, and the device is a circuit breaker.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from the base, the extension defining the receiving portion, and a pin located in a pair of aligned holes in the extension such that the pin extends transversely to the longitudinal axis through the rotating member for engagement in the aligned holes in the extension, wherein the rotating member is rotatable about the pin transversely to the longitudinal axis.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The coupling system includes a retainer that engages with one of the pair of aligned holes to secure the pin to the extension in the aligned hole of the extension.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The base is L-shaped, and the elongated rod extends outward from the first leg of the base, and the second leg of the base extends laterally away from the elongated rod from the first leg for connection to the device.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The second leg is cup-shaped and includes an end plate having a plurality of holes for receiving fasteners for securing the connector to the device.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical contact is a flexible chain.

10. A connection system for connecting a conductor rod to an interruptor, the connection system comprising: A connector, the connector including a receiving portion for receiving a first end of the conductor rod, the connector including a base for connecting to the interrupter; A rotating member, the rotating member being located in the receiving portion of the connector; A pin, used to secure the rotating member to the connector in the receiving portion; Fasteners are fixed to the rotating member in the receiving portion, wherein the conductor rod can be engaged with the fasteners; as well as An electrical contact, positioned around the first end of the conductor rod and engaging with the connector in the receiving portion.

11. The connection system according to claim 10, wherein, The fastener is fixed in the end opening of the conductor rod.

12. The connection system according to claim 11, wherein, The fastener is threaded onto the conductor rod.

13. The connection system according to claim 10, wherein, The connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from the base, the extension defining the receiving portion, and a pin located in a pair of aligned holes in the extension such that the pin extends transversely to the conductor rod through the rotating member for engagement in the aligned holes.

14. The coupling system of claim 13, further comprising a retainer engaging with one of the pair of aligned holes for securing the pin to the extension in the aligned hole.

15. The connection system according to claim 10, wherein, The base is L-shaped, and the receiving portion extends outward from the first leg of the base, and the second leg of the base extends laterally away from the receiving portion from the first leg.

16. The connection system according to claim 10, wherein, The electrical contact is a flexible chain.

17. A method for connecting a conductor rod to a circuit breaker, the method comprising: The rotating component is attached to the first end of the conductor rod using fasteners; The first end of the conductor rod is positioned in the receiving portion of the connector such that the channel through the rotating member is aligned with the hole of the connector and the electrical contact surrounding the conductor rod is positioned in the receiving portion to engage with the connector. as well as Insert a pin through the hole in the aligned connector and the channel in the rotating member to axially secure the conductor rod to the connector in the receiving portion.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising engaging the connector to the interrupter.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, The fastener is threaded into an axially extending hole in the first end of the conductor rod, and the rotating member is mounted on the end of the fastener.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising securing the pin in the aligned hole of the connector and the channel of the rotating member using a retainer engaged in one of the holes of the connector.

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