Abstract:
A method and apparatus for preventing the activation of an electrical component within an electrical distribution network. The apparatus comprises an electrical component, such as a disconnect switch, a means for the actuation thereof, and an independently moving restriction means. When the electrical component is in a deactivated condition, the actuation and restriction members are capable of being coupled together with a locking device, such as a padlock, to prevent activation of the electrical component. Conversely, when the electrical component is in an activated condition, the actuation member may moved to deactivate the electrical component, regardless of the installation of one or more locking devices in the two members. Hence, the electronic component may not be restricted to the activated condition.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    In order to provide electric power to various appliances found in typical residential or industrial buildings, electrical networks of varying complexity are utilized. Such networks generally include electricity conductors, such as wires and electrical busway, and devices having functionality that is more complex. The former typically have some degree of physical protection, such as a protective conduit sheath or a rigid metallic housing. The more complex devices are employed to perform a number of different functions. Transforming devices, such as transformers, capacitor, and inductors, typically comprise inductive and capacitive devices. These devices change the waveform characteristics of the electrical current passing therethrough. Power control devices, such as switches and switchgear, as well as protection devices, such as circuit breakers and fuses, alter the connections, the configuration, and the electrical current within the electrical network depending upon the required power conditions. These devices include an electrical conductor for each current path; a subsection of the conductor is moveable relative to the remaining sections of conductor. This allows the device to open and close a circuit when necessary. Monitoring and metering devices, which can include automated systems and sensing devices, collect and analyze performance data representative of the characteristics of the electrical network. Typically, such devices are composed of current transducers, an electronic measuring device connected to the transducers, and a memory bank to record the power metrics over time. Communication devices such as computers and their associated network devices can also be used in conjunction with the monitoring and metering devices to transmit the data to remote locations. Communication devices are sometimes installed inside electronic appliances; such devices serve as a communication link between sensors in appliances and remote devices that can manipulate and store the resulting data. To safeguard the electrical network against interruptions in the external power supply, power storage and generation devices, such as battery banks, generators, and uninterruptible power supplies, are sometimes installed within the network. The end point devices of the network are the primary recipients of the power transmitted over the network. In broad terms, such devices convert electrical energy into more useful media, such as rotational or thermal energy. End point devices typically contain conductor coils for heating, illumination, or magnetism, or electronic components for more precise operations. These devices include electric motors, manufacturing machinery, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning devices, and lighting appliances.  
           [0002]    In order to house various types of electrical components, the electrical utility industry utilizes enclosures, such as upright pedestals, cabinets and terminal boxes. The particular enclosure depends largely upon the type of electrical component to be housed and its place of installation. Typically, the enclosed component can be controlled by an actuator external to the enclosure, such as a push button, knob, or lever. In some instances, multiple electrical components are housed in a single enclosure. The actuator for one such device may or may not interact with other devices installed within the same enclosure.  
           [0003]    To protect the enclosed electrical components from unauthorized activation, and the downstream circuitry from unauthorized use, the electric utility industry utilizes certain control devices, specifically those capable of disconnecting end devices from the power source, and their respective actuators to be lockable in a deactivated position. In the deactivated, or “off” condition, electric current is prohibited from passing through the electrical component, thus affecting the state of the electrical end point loads located downstream. Conversely, in the activated, or “on” condition, electric current is allowed to pass through the component, thus affecting the end point loads in a different manner. Such lockout systems typically provide for the installation of separate locking devices, such as padlocks, externally to the enclosure to restrict access to the electrical component.  
           [0004]    An electrical component is usually moved between “on” and “off” positions using a rotational lever, the pivoting axis of which typically passes through the side of the enclosure such that the lever arm is entirely outside the enclosure. To activate and deactivate the component properly, the lever must be fully displaced to the end of its allowed path of travel. In order to prevent the unauthorized activation of the component by means of the lever, a lockout is provided to restrict the lever to the “off” position. The lockout usually comprises a rigid metal sheet positioned in a plane approximately parallel to the rotary path of the lever. In the material forming the lever and sheet are placed an approximately identical series of holes such that in the “off” position, corresponding holes in the handle and the sheet overlap. Such configuration permits the shackle of a padlock to pass through a pair of corresponding holes in the lever and the sheet, rendering the lever essentially immobile.  
           [0005]    It is therefore considered advantageous to allow the locking of said actuator in the “off” position only.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0006]    In one aspect, a lockout system is provided which comprises an actuation member having at least one opening along its length. The actuation member is coupled to the activation means of an electrical component. The actuation member interacts with a restriction member, also having at least one opening along its length. The two members are capable of being coupled together with a locking device such that the electrical component may not be activated. However, when in the activated position, the actuation member may deactivate the electrical component regardless of the presence of a locking device in any of the holes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings as follows.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a representation of an electrical power distribution and control system.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a front view of an electrical component enclosure and lockout system connected to a section of busway and an electrical wire conduit.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical appliance locked in the “off” position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of a locking system of the type having rotational actuation and restriction members. The system locks the electrical component in the “off” position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a side view of the locking system of the type having rotational actuation and translation members. The unlocked system allows the electrical component to reach the “on” position.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a side view of a locking system of the type having a rotational actuation member and a translational restriction member. The electrical component is locked in the “off” position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a side view of a locking system of the type having a rotational actuation member and a translational restriction member. The electrical component is in the “on” position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a side view of a locking system of the type having translational actuation and restriction members. The electrical component is locked in the off position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is a side view of a locking system of the type having translational actuation and restriction members. The electrical component is in the “on” position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is a side view of a locking system of the type having a rotational actuation member and a flexible restriction member. The electrical component is locked in the “off” position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 is a side view of a locking system of the type having a rotational actuation member and a flexible restriction member. The electrical component can be activated when the locking device is removed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a representation of an electrical network composed of several types of devices. Electric power is generated by a utility  13  and transported by transmission lines  14 . A transforming device  15  is shown mounted on a utility pole, although similar devices may also be found inside buildings. Typically, a metering device  16 , a control device  17 , and a protection device  18  are the first devices incoming electric current passes through after leaving the utility lines  14 . In larger buildings where electric power continuity is critical, the network may also include a device such as a generator or power storage device  19  to sustain the network current in the event external power is lost. The circuits formed by the electrical conductors multiply and branch outward to the end point loads  20 . End point loads are simply devices that consume the electrical power transmitted via the network. Each smaller circuit contains control  17  and protection  18  devices in addition to the larger devices upstream. Metering devices  16  generally quantify the amount of power consumed by the power network in which they are installed. Monitoring  21  and communication  22  devices are often employed to analyze the characteristics of the electric energy remotely using sensors connected to various points in the network. Typically, immediately prior to entering an end point load  20 , the electric current passes through an electrical appliance  23 . For example, a disconnect switch provides a means of quick disconnection of the load  20  from the power supply  13 .  
         [0020]    In order to bring electricity into and out of the electrical appliance  23 , conductors such as cables or busway are used. FIG. 2 shows an enclosure and described lockout system used in conjunction with both a section of busway  10  and electrical wires  11  housed in conduit  12 . Such articles enable electrical current to be transmitted between devices within the network by providing conductors and protection therefore.  
         [0021]    An electrical component  26  mounted within an enclosure  24  shall be dubbed an electrical appliance  23  henceforth. An electrical component could be a disconnect switch, a circuit breaker, a communication device, a computer device, a data communication or recording device, a sensing device or monitoring device, an energy storage device, a control device, or any similar device having electric or electronic functionality. The electrical appliance  23  is one part of a larger electrical network of several devices.  
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and  5 , a lockout system for an electrical appliance  23  first includes a rotational actuator  25  capable of moving the electrical component  26  between “on” and “off” positions. The actuator  25  is typically a physical extension of the electrical component control to allow easy operation. A restrictor  27  is fixed to the enclosure proper  24  by means of a pivot  28  to allow free rotation of the restrictor about an axis approximately parallel to the lever axis  29 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and  5 , the electrical appliance is an electrical disconnect switch, and the actuator and restrictor consist of a rotating lever  25  and rotating arm  27 , respectively. An approximately identical pattern of holes  30 ,  31  is placed in both the actuator and restrictor.  
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when in the “off” position, usually indicated by a symbol such as “O”, the pattern of holes on each the lever  25  and arm  27  are able to align overlappingly. That is, the profiles of the holes on each member can concurrently receive a locking device  32  such as a padlock. The installation of a locking device fixes the lever  25  and arm  27  together, restricting their motion with respect to one another. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the members when the electrical component  26  is in the activated position. The restrictor  27  is capable of rotation out of the path of said actuator  25 . Hence, if when in the “on” position, usually indicated by a symbol such as “I”, a locking device  32 , such as a padlock, is installed by placing its shackle through any of the holes  30 ,  31  in either the lever or the arm, the lever  25  is not prevented from moving to the “off” position.  
         [0024]    As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lockout system is illustrated on an electrical appliance  23  installed as is typical for such a device. Usually, devices are mounted vertically, such that their length is generally perpendicular to the floor. In this orientation, the “off” position is usually reached by displacing the actuating lever downward. Since the locking arm  27  is free to rotate about its pivot  28 , unless it is fixed to the actuating lever  25  as shown in FIG. 4, the arm will rotate downward. Gravitational force biases the arm to move out of the path of the actuating lever. The locking arm  27  thus cannot impede the motion of the actuating lever  25 . The locking arm may also be biased by springs or other means that can exert a force upon the member.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternate embodiment of the invention, wherein the lockout system includes a rotational lever  25  capable of actuating the electrical component  26  and a translationally moving restriction bar  40 . Each of these two components include at least one opening  30 , 42  along its length capable of receiving a locking device  32 , such as a padlock, therethrough. The sliding restriction bar  40  is capable of extending toward the actuation lever  25  when the latter is in the “off” position such that the openings on both members are aligned. Once the two parts are aligned properly, further extension of the restriction bar  40  is prohibited by a positive stop  44 . Hence, when the two components are coupled together with a locking device  32 , the actuation lever cannot move the electrical component  26  to the “on” position. However, when in the “on” position, the sliding restriction bar  40  is not capable of impeding the motion of the actuation lever  25 . As it moves toward the “off” position, the latter pushes the former out of the way, causing the bar to retract.  
         [0026]    Other embodiments of the lockout system are possible using combinations of translational and rotational members. The actuation member is a translating slide  46  wherein the “on” and “off” positions correspond to opposite ends of its path of travel. The restriction member is therefore either a rotational arm  27  or a translating bar  40  as described previously. FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a lockout system having the latter. In each member, there are corresponding openings  48 , 42  for at least one locking device  32  so the two may be coupled together. Due to the presence of a locking device, these elements can exert a force upon the actuation member  25  only in the direction of travel necessary for activation of the electrical component  26 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention utilizing a rigid translational  46  or rotational  25  actuation member, and a non-rigid restriction member  50 . This type of restriction member is flexible but non-elastic, such as a cable or chain. Thus, the flexible restriction member  50  is coupled to the actuation member such that attempting to actuate the latter toward the “on” position subjects the former to a tensile force. Since the flexible restriction member is not elastic, the motion of the actuation member is restrained. However, since the former easily buckles under a compressive force, when a locking device  32  is placed into any opening  30 , 52  in either the actuation  25  or restriction  50  members when the former is in the “on” position, the actuation member can always be moved to the “off” position.  
         [0028]    An appliance with the described lockout system is commonly mounted on a wall in a vertical orientation. When not coupled to the actuation lever, the restriction members of the described designs translate downward due to gravitational force. Since they are thus biased away from the path of the actuation member, the restriction members cannot impede the motion of the actuation member in any way regardless of the presence or number of locking devices installed therethrough.  
         [0029]    The present invention described heretofore refers to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.