Remote Electrical Disconnect Actuator with Bowden Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for remote operation of electrical disconnects pose safety hazards due to potential arc flash events, require inconvenient personal protective equipment, and may not be adjustable for varying arc flash levels or have issues with stored energy causing unintended actuation.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a handle clamp, case clamp, and Bowden cable with an actuator that allows secure remote operation of arm-style electrical disconnects, featuring adjustable components and safety features to prevent unintended actuation, ensuring operator safety and adaptability to different arc flash levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an operator manually actuates the electrical disconnect, then the disconnect can be operated, but the operator is exposed to arc flash hazards requiring personal protective equipment
Solution Approach 1:
A cable with inner cable and exterior sheath serves as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the electrical disconnect. The operator manipulates the exterior sheath from a safe distance, which transmits force through the inner cable to actuate the disconnect, eliminating direct exposure to arc flash hazards while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct manual mechanical actuation with a cable-based mechanical transmission system. This substitution allows the operator to apply force remotely through the cable mechanism rather than directly contacting the disconnect handle, thereby protecting against arc flash while preserving the mechanical actuation function
2Ease of operation
If stored energy devices such as batteries or springs are used for remote operation, then remote actuation is achieved, but the device may inadvertently actuate creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates stored energy components (batteries, springs) from the remote operation device. By using a passive cable transmission system instead of an active stored-energy mechanism, the invention removes the source of inadvertent actuation while preserving the core remote operation functionality through direct mechanical coupling
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a long reach pole is used for remote operation, then operator safety distance is increased, but clear access to the electrical disconnect is required which may not be available in compact electrical rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cable with exterior sheath and inner cable construction that can dynamically adapt to various spatial configurations. The cable can be routed through available spaces and around obstacles in compact electrical rooms, providing both operator safety distance and adaptability to constrained environments without requiring straight-line access like a rigid reach pole
4Device complexity
If non-adjustable remote devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but different separation distances required for different arc flash levels cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The cable length and routing configuration can be dynamically adjusted to provide different separation distances between the operator and the electrical disconnect. This allows the same simple cable-based device to accommodate various arc flash hazard levels by modifying the effective operating length, combining simplicity with adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for remote operation of an electrical disconnect. The device can include a handle clamp configured to be secured to an extending member of the electrical disconnect. The device can further include a case clamp configured to be secured to a rigid portion of the electrical disconnect. The device can further include a cable having an exterior sheath coaxially surrounding an inner cable. The inner cable can be coaxially slidable with respect to the exterior sheath. The inner cable can extend through an opening of the case clamp and be secured to the handle clamp. The device can further include an actuator configured to coaxially slide the inner cable such that the handle clamp is actuated towards the case clamp.