Patent ID: 6169653
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: H02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for aligning contacts externally mounted on a circuit breaker with associated contacts mounted in a circuit breaker component; the apparatus comprising: a switchgear enclosure having at least one circuit breaker compartment for receiving the circuit breaker; a generally flat back panel mounted within said circuit breaker compartment such that said back panel defines a rear wall of said circuit breaker compartment, said back panel defining an access opening and at least one alignment slot having two indexing sections spaced apart by an alignment section, said two indexing sections being located with respect to X and Y coordinates of said back panel, said back panel further defining a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, each of said first and second sets of mounting holes being located with respect to X and Y coordinates of said back panel and therefore being located with respect to said two indexing sections of said at least one alignment slot such that precise X-axis and Y-axis alignment is substantially maintained between each of said first and second sets of mounting holes and said two indexing sections of said at least one alignment slot; at least one stationary primary contact for being associated with at least one breaker primary contact, said at least one stationary primary contact being supportably mounted by means of hardware passing through said first set of mounting holes such that said at least one stationary primary contact is in fixed relationship with said two indexing sections of said at least one alignment slot, said at least one stationary primary contact being accessible through said access opening in said back panel; at least one stationary secondary contact for being associated with at least one breaker secondary contact, said at least one stationary secondary contact being mounted on said back panel by hardware means passing through said second set of mounting holes such that said stationary secondary contact is in fixed relationship with said two indexing sections of said at least one alignment slot, and a locking/locating cradle for receiving and supporting the circuit breaker within said circuit breaker compartment, said locking/locating cradle having two generally parallel guide rails spaced apart by an integrally formed bottom, said guide rails having a top edge which provides X-axis and Y-axis locating for the circuit breaker, at least one of said guide rails having a locking tab configured to be frictionally received within said at least one alignment slot of said back panel such that said guide rail is located with respect to X and Y axes of said back panel by said two indexing sections of said at least one alignment slot and is locked to said back panel by captive engagement of said locking tab in said at least one alignment slot such that said guide rail is located with respect to the Z-axis of said back panel.