Articulating Control Panel for Circuit Breaker Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing high voltage circuit breakers require complex and costly field installation processes due to their rigid control panel design, which necessitates removal and reassembly during shipping, leading to increased installation time and labor.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker design featuring a moveably coupled control panel that can be freely rotated or articulated, allowing it to be positioned during shipping and easily installed at the site without the need for separate wiring and bushing installation, utilizing flexible wiring and gas conduits to maintain connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the control panel is rigidly connected to the housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the shipping height restriction is violated and field installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is made dynamically positionable through articulating joints that allow it to move between a horizontal operating position and a vertical shipping position. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt its height for shipping while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel is repositioned from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation during shipping. This dimensional change reduces the horizontal footprint and allows the assembly to fit within shipping height restrictions while maintaining all functional connections.
2Length of moving object
If the control panel is removed for shipping, then the shipping height restriction is satisfied, but the field installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is pre-connected to the housing through articulating joints and flexible conduits before shipping. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for complex field installation of wiring and bushings, reducing installation time from five days to a single day.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible wiring conduits and gas conduits are used to connect the control panel to the housing. These flexible connections accommodate the articulating movement of the control panel while maintaining sealed, functional connections throughout the shipping and installation process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control panel is rigidly connected, then the wiring and bushing installation is simplified, but the total assembly height exceeds shipping restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel employs articulating joints that allow it to pivot between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic capability enables the panel to maintain a simplified, pre-connected wiring configuration while reducing the assembly height to meet shipping restrictions through vertical repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible conduits are used to connect wiring and gas lines between the control panel and housing. These flexible connections maintain ease of manufacture by allowing the panel to be pre-assembled and pre-wired, while accommodating the panel's movement to reduced-height shipping positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit breaker is provided having three horizontal circuit breakers coupled together with a base housing. Each of the horizontal circuit breakers comprising a tank secured in the housing, first and second current transformers extending from the tank and exit and entrance insulators extending from the first and second current transformers. The housing is mountable on a support frame. To facilitate shipping and field assembly, the circuit breaker includes an control panel moveably coupled to the housing.