Coupling system for connecting interrupters to conductors in high voltage circuit breakers

Abstract

To provide a coupling system for fixing an elongated rod to a connector for connecting the elongated rod to a device, and a method for fixing an elongated rod to a connector.SOLUTION: A coupling system includes a swivel member pinned in a receptacle of a connector and a fastener fixed to the swivel member. The elongated rod is fixed to the fastener. The elongated rod may be a conductor rod and the device may be an interrupter for a circuit breaker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Technical Field The present invention relates generally to coupling systems, and more particularly to coupling systems for connecting conductors to interrupters for high voltage circuit breakers. [Background technology]

[0002] background Electrical devices may include one or more circuit interrupters for interrupting fault currents and preventing arcing faults. For example, a dead-tank circuit breaker may have bushings extending from the exterior of the tank, with conductors extending the length of each bushing for connection to the circuit interrupter. In some designs, attachment between the circuit interrupter and the conductor is achieved by clamping the connection between the conductor and the circuit interrupter. Known methods of attaching the conductors make it difficult to maintain the desired contact between the conductor and the connection between the circuit interrupter. Therefore, further improvements in this area are needed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] overview One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique coupling system for connecting conductors to interrupters in a circuit breaker. Other embodiments include apparatus, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations thereof for coupling system components. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description set forth herein and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a coupling system for connecting a conductor to an interrupter. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of a connector for the coupling system of FIG. 1 connecting a conductor to an interrupter. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the connector of FIG. 2, showing passages for receiving conductors. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing the location of the back of the interrupter for connection of the conductors of FIG. 1 with the interrupter. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing an end of a conductor positioned in a receptacle of a connector and a portion of a bushing that houses the conductor; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing a conductor partially inserted into a receptacle of a connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an elevational view showing the final state of insertion of the conductor into the receptacle of the connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will be understood, however, that no limitation on the scope of the invention is intended in this regard. Any modifications and further variations of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the present invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. While illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described below, for the sake of clarity, not all of the features of an actual implementation of the invention may be described herein.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 1 , in an exemplary embodiment, a system 10 is shown in which an elongated rod is secured to a connector that couples the elongated rod to a device. In one embodiment, the elongated rod is a conductor rod 12, and the device is an interrupter 60 for a circuit breaker (not shown), such as may be employed in a high-voltage dead-tank circuit breaker. A coupling system 20 is provided that secures the conductor rod 12 to a connector 40, which electrically and mechanically couples the conductor rod 12 to the interrupter 60.

[0007] 2 and 3, the connector 40 includes a base 42 with an extension 44 that defines a receptacle 52 for receiving the conductor rod 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 42 includes an L-shape, although other shapes are contemplated. The L-shaped base 42 includes a first leg 46 and a second leg 48 that extends transversely away from the extension 44. The extension 44 extends outward at an oblique angle from the first leg 46. The bottom surface 46a of the first leg 46 can be concavely curved to rest against a curved tank or other curved structure, although other shapes, including non-curved shapes, are also contemplated. The extension 44 includes alignment bores 58a, 58b oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the conductor rod 12, as described further below.

[0008] The second leg 48 defines a circular cup shape to fit into one end of the interrupter 60. The second leg 48 includes a number of holes 54 in its end plate 56 for receiving fasteners 50. The fasteners 50 secure the connector 40 to the interrupter 60. The second leg 48 may be secured to the rear or aft end of the interrupter 60, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] An example of the rear end of the interrupter 60 is shown in Figure 4. The interrupter 60 may be disposed within a tank 64 and includes a rear face 62 for attachment to the second leg 48 of the connector 40. The rear face 62 includes a number of holes 66 that receive fasteners 50 that extend through the second leg 48 to secure the connector 40 to the interrupter 60, as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7.

[0010] 1 , coupling system 20 includes swivel member 22 within receptacle 52, pin 24 extending within swivel member 22, fastener 26 to which swivel member 22 is attached, and retainer 28 (such as a set screw) for securing pin 24 in place. Electrical contact 30 is positioned around conductive rod 12. In one embodiment, electrical contact 30 is a flexible bracelet and includes multiple linked components made of a conductive material that are inwardly deflectable during insertion of conductive rod 12 and that grip or contact the inner surface of extension 44 of receptacle 52 and the outer surface of conductive rod 12.

[0011] 1 and 5, the swivel member 22 includes a cylindrical body 32 with an axial bore 36 for receiving the fastener 26 and a transverse passage 34 extending therethrough for receiving the pin 24. Swivel member 22 furthermore, Swivel member 22 26 includes an inner shoulder 38 that abuts against the head 80 of the fastener 26 to axially retain the fastener 26 thereon. Swivel member 22 It also includes an outer shoulder 82 that aligns with the first end 16 of the conductor rod 12 . Swivel member 22 does not need to be in abutting engagement with first end 16, although such engagement is not excluded. Swivel member 22 may be spaced from the inner surface of extension 44, thereby allowing some rotation of conductor rod 12 relative to extension 44 transverse to longitudinal axis L about pin 24.

[0012] The fastener 26 extends into the end opening 18 of the conductor rod 12 along the longitudinal axis L of the conductor rod 12. The fastener 26 may include threads or other suitable structure for engaging the conductor rod 12 to axially restrain the conductor rod 12 to the fastener 26. The swivel member 22 is axially secured to the extension 44 by a pin 24 that extends through the swivel member passage 34 and into aligned bores 58 a, 58 b in the extension 44. A retainer 28 is secured in the bore 58 a to prevent the pin 24 from disengaging from the passage 34 and the bores 58 a, 58 b.

[0013] During assembly, the swivel member 22 may be secured to the first end 16 of the conductor rod 12 with a fastener 26, as shown in FIG. 5. An electrical contact 30 is positioned around the conductor rod 12 adjacent the first end 16. The conductor rod 12 may be configured to extend through a bushing, such as bushing 90. As shown in FIG. 6, the secured Swivel member 22 is inserted into the receptacle 52 of the extension 44 and the conductor rod 12 is rotated to align the passage 34 with the bores 58a, 58b of the extension 44.

[0014] When the conductor rod 12 is fully inserted into the extension 44 with the passage 34 aligned with the bores 58a, 58b, the pin 24 is inserted into the bore 58a, through the passage 34, and into the bore 58b. The bore 58b may include a stepped profile that allows the pin 24 to be only partially inserted. The retainer 28 is then engaged with the bore 58a to retain the pin 24 within the bores 58a, 58b and the passage 34. The conductor rod 12 is thus axially secured to the extension 44 of the connector 40 and electrically coupled to the interrupter 60 via the electrical contacts 30.

[0015] Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated. According to one aspect, a system includes an elongate rod, a connector including a receptacle for receiving a first end of the elongate rod, and a coupling system within the receptacle of the connector for coupling the elongate rod to the connector. The connector includes a base for connecting to a device to be coupled with the elongate rod. The coupling system includes a fastener secured to the first end of the elongate rod, a swivel member attached to the fastener, and a pin that secures the swivel member to the connector at the receptacle. Electrical contacts are positioned around the first end of the elongate rod and engage the connector at the receptacle.

[0016] In one embodiment, the elongated rod includes an axially extending opening at a first end thereof, and the fastener is secured to the elongated rod within the opening. In one embodiment, the elongated rod is threadably engaged with the fastener. In one embodiment, the elongated rod is a conductor, and the device is an interrupter for a circuit breaker.

[0017] In one embodiment, the connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from the base, the extension defining a receptacle, the pin disposed within a pair of aligned bores in the extension such that the pin extends transverse to the longitudinal axis through a swivel member for engagement in the bores, the swivel member being rotatable about the pin transverse to the longitudinal axis, In one embodiment, the coupling system includes a retainer engaged with one of the pair of aligned bores in the extension to secure the pin within the pair of aligned bores to the extension.

[0018] In one embodiment, the base is L-shaped, with the elongated rod extending outward from a first leg of the base and a second leg of the base extending transversely to the first leg and away from the elongated rod for connection to a device. In one embodiment, the second leg is cup-shaped and includes an end plate with several holes for accommodating fasteners for securing the connector to a device. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts are flexible bracelets. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts include a plurality of spiral / spring contacts.

[0019] In another aspect, a coupling system for connecting a conductor rod to an interrupter is disclosed. The coupling system includes a connector including a receptacle for receiving a first end of the conductor rod and a base for connecting to the interrupter. The coupling system also includes a swivel member within the receptacle of the connector and a pin for securing the swivel member to the connector at the receptacle. The coupling system includes a fastener secured to the swivel member at the receptacle, the conductor rod being engageable with the fastener. Electrical contacts are positioned around the first end of the elongated rod and engage with the connector at the receptacle.

[0020] In one embodiment, the fastener is secured in an end opening of the conductor rod. In one embodiment, the fastener is threadably engaged with the conductor rod. In one embodiment, the connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from a base, the extension defining a receptacle, and the pin disposed in a pair of aligned bores in the extension such that the pin extends transversely to the conductor rod through a swivel member for engagement in the pair of aligned bores in the extension. In one embodiment, a retainer is engaged in one of the pair of aligned bores to secure the pin to the extension in the pair of aligned bores.

[0021] In one embodiment, the base is L-shaped, the receptacle extends outward from a first leg of the base, and a second leg of the base extends transversely to the first leg, away from the receptacle. In one embodiment, the electrical contact is a flexible bracelet.

[0022] According to another aspect, a method for connecting a conductor rod to an interrupter includes engaging a swivel member with a fastener to a first end of the conductor rod; positioning the first end of the conductor rod within a receptacle of the connector such that a passage through the swivel member aligns with a bore of the connector and such that electrical contacts about the elongated rod are positioned within and engage the receptacle of the connector; and inserting a pin through the aligned bore of the connector and the passage through the swivel member to axially secure the conductor rod to the connector at the receptacle.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method includes engaging a connector to an interrupter. In one embodiment, a fastener is threadably engaged with an axially extending bore at a first end of the conductor rod, and a swivel member is attached to an end of the fastener. In one embodiment, the method includes securing a pin within an aligned bore of the connector and a passage of the swivel member while engaging a retainer in one of the aligned bores of the connector.

[0024] While the present invention has been illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that these are to be considered as illustrative and not limiting in features, that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described, and that all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. The use of terms such as "preferred," "preferably," "preferred," or "more preferred" utilized in the foregoing description indicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, but need not be, and it is to be understood that embodiments not including such terms are also intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0025] When reading the claims, the use of indefinite articles such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" is intended to limit the claim to only one item unless the claim specifically states otherwise. When the terms "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" are used, the item can include one portion and / or the entire item unless expressly stated otherwise. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled," and variations thereof, are intended to be broad and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, supporting, and coupling. Furthermore, "connected" and "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: The system includes an elongate rod extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end of the elongate rod, the system further comprising: a connector including a receptacle for receiving the first end of the elongate rod, the connector including a base for connecting to a device to be coupled with the elongate rod, the system further comprising: a coupling system within the receptacle of the connector for coupling the elongate rod to the connector, the coupling system comprising: a fastener secured to the first end of the elongated rod; a swivel member attached to the fastener; a pin that secures the swivel member to the connector at the receptacle; an electrical contact positioned about the first end of the elongated rod and engaging the connector at the receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elongate rod includes an axially extending opening at the first end, and the fastener is secured to the elongate rod within the opening.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the elongated rod is threadably engaged with the fastener.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated rod is a conductor and the device is an interrupter for a circuit breaker.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from the base, the extension defining the receptacle, the pin disposed within a pair of aligned bores in the extension such that the pin extends transversely to the longitudinal axis through the swivel member for engagement in the pair of aligned bores in the extension, the swivel member being rotatable about the pin transversely to the longitudinal axis.

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the coupling system includes a retainer engaged with one of the pair of aligned bores to secure the pin to the extension within the pair of aligned bores of the extension.

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

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

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical contact is a flexible bracelet.

10. 1. A coupling system for connecting a conductor rod to an interrupter, said coupling system comprising: a connector including a receptacle for receiving a first end of the conductor rod, the connector including a base for connecting to the interrupter, the coupling system further comprising: a swivel member within the receptacle of the connector; a pin for securing the swivel member to the connector in the receptacle; a fastener secured to the swivel member at the receptacle, the conductor rod being engageable with the fastener, the coupling system further comprising: a coupling system including an electrical contact positioned about the first end of the elongated conductor rod for engaging the connector at the receptacle;

11. The coupling system of claim 10 , wherein the fastener is secured in an end opening of the conductor rod.

12. The coupling system of claim 11 , wherein the fastener is threadably engaged with the conductor rod.

13. 11. The coupling system of claim 10, wherein the connector includes a tubular extension extending outward from the base, the extension defining the receptacle, and the pin disposed in a pair of aligned bores in the extension so as to extend transversely to the conductor rod through the swivel member for engagement in the pair of aligned bores in the extension.

14. The coupling system of claim 13 , further comprising a retainer engaged in one of the pair of aligned bores to secure the pin to the extension in the pair of aligned bores.

15. 11. The coupling system of claim 10, wherein the base is L-shaped, the receptacle extends outward from a first leg of the base, and a second leg of the base extends transversely to the first leg, away from the receptacle.

16. The coupling system of claim 10 , wherein the electrical contact is a flexible bracelet.

17. 1. A method for connecting a conductor rod to an interrupter, comprising: engaging a swivel member with a fastener to a first end of the conductor rod; positioning the first end of the conductor rod within the receptacle of the connector such that the passage through the swivel member is aligned with the bore of the connector and such that electrical contacts about the elongated conductor rod are positioned within and engage the receptacle of the connector; and inserting a pin through the aligned bores of the connector and the passages of the swivel member to axially secure the conductor rod to the connector at the receptacle.

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

19. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fastener is threadably engaged with an axially extending bore in the first end of the conductor rod, and the swivel member is attached to an end of the fastener.

20. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of engaging a retainer with one of the aligned bores of the connector having a larger inner diameter to secure the pin within the aligned bores of the connector and the passage of the swivel member.

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