Patent ID: 9520698
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: H02B

Claim Text:
1. An outdoor enclosure for housing power distribution equipment comprising: an enclosure body comprising a base, at least four wall structures, and a roof structure, wherein each of the at least four wall structures is attached at one end to the base and at an opposite end to the roof structure so as to provide an enclosure interior space, and wherein the roof structure overhangs at least one of the at least four wall structures so as to provide a ventilation channel that does not permit entry of rain or snow into the enclosure interior space; a first wall structure of the at least four wall structures, wherein the first wall structure has an interior surface facing the enclosure interior space and an exterior surface opposite thereto; a first opening in the first wall structure, wherein the first opening is located more proximate the roof structure than the base, and wherein the first opening provides an evacuation vent for arc flash gases from the enclosure interior space; power distribution equipment disposed in the enclosure interior space; an expansion chamber structure having a top panel, wherein the expansion chamber structure abuts the exterior surface of the first wall structure and is attached to the first wall structure so as to surround and seal the perimeter of the first opening, and wherein the expansion chamber structure and the first wall structure together define an expansion chamber for receiving arc flash gases from the enclosure interior space through the first opening, and wherein the top panel has an interior surface facing the expansion chamber and an exterior surface opposite thereto, and wherein the top panel has a second opening that provides an evacuation vent for arc flash gases from the expansion chamber; and a chimney comprising a chimney base and a capping structure, wherein the chimney base has a first side proximate the first wall structure and a second side distal thereto, and the capping structure has a first side proximate the first wall structure and a second side distal thereto, wherein the chimney base has a bottom end that is open and abuts the exterior surface of the top panel and is attached to the top panel so as to surround and seal the perimeter of the second opening, and wherein the chimney base has a top end that is open and opposite the bottom end, wherein the capping structure has a top end that is closed and a bottom end opposite thereto that is open and abuts the top end of the chimney base and is attached to the top end of the chimney base so as to surround and seal the perimeter, with the exception that the first side of the capping structure is more proximate the first wall structure than the first side of the chimney base, and laterally spaced apart therefrom by a first distance so as to provide a first chimney vent, and wherein the chimney base and the capping structure together enclose and define a chimney flue space for receiving arc flash gases from the expansion chamber, and wherein the first chimney vent provides a weather-resistant outlet for arc flash gases from the chimney flue space.