Cover mounted handle operating mechanism with integrated interlock assembly for a busplug enclosure

A busplug enclosure includes a body member includes a plurality of wall members that collectively define an interior chamber having an opening. The body member includes a line portion and a load portion. A cover assembly is mounted to the body member across the opening. The cover assembly includes a first cover member spanning the load portion and a second cover member spanning the line portion. A handle operating mechanism is mounted to the cover assembly. The handle operating mechanism includes a handle member configured to rotate about an axis extending through the cover assembly, a cam member and a slider member. The handle member is operatively coupled to the cam member and the slider member and configured and disposed to move between a first position and a second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of busplug enclosures and, more particularly, to a cover mounted handle operating mechanism for a busplug enclosure.

Electric power bus systems are typically employed to deliver/distribute electrical power to various loads. Generally, bus systems include a number of branch circuits that are connected to a main electrical distribution panel. Often times there exist electrical disconnects in the branch circuits. The electrical disconnects are operated to electrically isolate an electrical load from the main distribution panel or other source of electrical power. The electrical disconnects are generally arranged in an enclosure that houses switching components. The enclosure generally includes an external switching mechanism that allows personnel to operate the switching components. In conventional enclosures, the external switching mechanism takes the form of a toggle switch/lever. The toggle switch/lever is generally mounted to a side, or bottom of the enclosure. In addition to operating the switching mechanism, in many cases, the toggle switch/lever also engages/disengages a safety interlock. The interlock prevents the enclosure from being opened when the switching components are in a “power on” configuration, and prevents the switching mechanism from being operated when the enclosure is open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, A busplug enclosure includes a body member includes a plurality of wall members that collectively define an interior chamber having an opening. The body member includes a line portion and a load portion. A cover assembly is mounted to the body member across the opening. The cover assembly includes a first cover member spanning the load portion and a second cover member spanning the line portion. A handle operating mechanism is mounted to the cover assembly. The handle operating mechanism includes a handle member configured to rotate about an axis extending through the cover assembly, a cam member and a slider member. The handle member is operatively coupled to the cam member and the slider member and configured and disposed to move between a first position and a second position.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an electrical disconnect system includes a busplug enclosure including a body member having a plurality of wall members that collectively define an interior chamber provided with an opening. The body member includes a line portion and a load portion. An electrical disconnect is arranged within the interior chamber. The electrical disconnect includes a switching mechanism that is configured to pivot about a first axis between a first position and a second position. A cover assembly is mounted to the body member across the opening. The cover member includes a first cover portion spanning the line portion and a second cover member spanning the load portion. A handle operating mechanism is mounted to the cover assembly. The handle operating mechanism includes a handle member configured to rotate about a second axis extending through the cover assembly, a cam member and a slider member. The handle member is operatively coupled to the cam member and the slider member. The slider member is configured to operatively engage with the electrical disconnect to shift the switching mechanism between the first position and the second position.

According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method of operating an electrical disconnect housed in a busplug enclosure having a cover and a handle member mounted to the cover includes rotating a handle member about a first axis that extends through a cover assembly from a first position to a second position, rotating a cam member operatively coupled to the handle member about the first axis, shifting a slider member operatively coupled to the cam member along a second axis that extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the first axis, and moving a handle operating mechanism operatively coupled to the slider member from one of a connect position and a disconnect position to another of the connect position and the disconnect position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical disconnect system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at2. Disconnect system2includes a busplug enclosure4having a body member6. Body member6is formed from a plurality of wall members8-12that collectively define an interior chamber15having an opening18. Busplug enclosure4includes a line portion20and a load portion21that are divided by an electrical disconnect24including a switching mechanism26. Line portion20receives conductors that are electrically coupled to an electrical source (not shown) and load portion21receives conductors that extend to an electrical load (also not shown). Electrical disconnect24establishes a connection between the electrical source and the electrical load depending upon a position of switching mechanism26.

Busplug enclosure4also includes a cover assembly34that extends across or spans opening18. Cover assembly34includes a first cover member38that extends across line portion20and a second cover member40that extends across load portion21. First cover member38includes an outer surface42and an opposing inner surface43through which extends an opening44. Second cover member40includes an interlock member47and a tab element48which, as will be discussed more fully below, prevent access to interior chamber15when switching mechanism is in one of a first and second position as established by a handle operating mechanism50mounted to first cover member38. Busplug enclosure4also includes a barrier member or support55that extends across opening18. Barrier support55includes a plurality of openings (not shown) that are configured to receive mechanical fasteners (also not shown) that extend through and secure first and second cover members38and40to body member6.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, handle operating mechanism50includes a handle member60operatively connected to a cam member65through a plurality of spacers or bushings one of which is indicated at66. Handle member60is position at outer surface42of first cover member38and includes a first end74that extends to a second end75. First end74includes an opening76that facilitates manipulation of handle member60when busplug enclosure is mounted in areas not readily accessible. As will be described more fully below, cam member65engages a slider member80to operate switching mechanism26.

As best shown inFIG. 3, cam member65includes a central mounting section92that is coupled to handle member60through opening44. Central mounting section92defines a first axis or axis of rotation for both handle member60and cam member65. The first axis extends through first cover member38. Cam member65also includes an off-set arm94that is cantilevered from central mounting section92. Off-set arm94supports a post element96that operatively engages with slider member80. More specifically, as cam member65rotates about the first axis, post element96shifts slider element80along a second, axis that extends substantially parallel to first cover member38. In the exemplary embodiment shown, slider member includes a plate100that is moveably mounted to inner surface43of first cover member38through a pair of guide members or pins104and106. Guide pins104and106engage with corresponding slots or guides108and110formed in plate100. Plate100also includes a cam slot or guide113that receives post element96. As handle member60rotates about the first axis, off-set arm94shifts post element96within cam guide113causing slider member80to shift along the second axis. Movement along the second axis is constrained by guide pins104and106passing through guides108and110. With this arrangement, a fork member121mounted to slider member80engages with switching mechanism26to operate electrical disconnect24. Fork member121includes first and second arms123and124that define a notch125that receives a toggle element (not separately labeled) of switching mechanism26.

In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, handle operating mechanism50includes a position indicator member130mounted for rotation with handle member60. Position indicator member130includes a first or indicator end section134that extends to a second end section136. Second end section136includes an arm section138and an interlock element140. Position indicator member130is configured to indicate a connection state of switching mechanism26. That is, when handle member60is moved to a first or connect position such as shown inFIG. 4, first end section130indicates an “ON” or “CONNECT” state of switching mechanism26. When in the connect position, arm section138overlaps tab48on second cover member40. In addition, interlock element140engages with interlock member47on second cover member40. In this manner, arm section138and interlock element140prevent access to interior chamber15when electricity flows through switching mechanism26. When handle member60is rotated to the second or disconnect position such as shown inFIG. 5, first end section130indicates an “OFF” or DISCONNECT” state of switching mechanism26. In the second position, both arm section138and interlock element140disengage from second cover member40thereby allowing access to interior cavity15.

At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments describe a disconnect system having a busplug enclosure provided with a cover mounted handle operating mechanism. Integration of the handle operating mechanism with the cover provides personnel with an opportunity to more closely mount adjacent disconnects. In addition, the incorporation of the handle operating mechanism with the cover allows for a more robust interlock system that is configured to selectively prevent access to the busplug enclosure. Finally, while shown and described as a two-position disconnect, the particular type of switching mechanism may vary.