Abstract:
An apparatus includes a first shutter, a first pivot arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is disposed in mechanical communication with the first shutter, a second shutter, and a second pivot arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is disposed in mechanical communication with the second shutter and the first end is disposed in mechanical communication with the first end of the first pivot arm. Linear movement of the first ends of the first and second pivot arms results in linear movement of the first shutter and the second shutter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly, to automatic shuttering systems disposed to shield terminal contacts arranged to receive circuit breakers. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to at least one example embodiment, a shutter system includes a shutter housing defining a main plane, a window arranged on the main plane of the shutter housing, a base plate arranged on the shutter housing, the base plate defining a secondary plane, wherein the secondary plane is disposed perpendicular to the main plane, a first cutout and a second cutout, each cutout arranged on the base plate, wherein the first cutout has a length defining a first medial line that is substantially parallel to the main plane and the secondary plane, and wherein the second cutout has a length defining a second medial line that is substantially parallel to the main plane and the secondary plane, a first shutter disposed in mechanical communication with the first cutout and the shutter housing, wherein the first shutter is proximate to a first lateral portion of the window, a second shutter disposed in mechanical communication with the second cutout and the shutter housing, wherein the second shutter is proximate to a second lateral portion of the window, a first pivot arm disposed in mechanical communication with the first shutter, a second pivot arm disposed in mechanical communication with the second shutter, a pivot anchor disposed in mechanical communication with the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm, and a guiding rod arranged on the base plate and in mechanical communication with the pivot anchor, wherein the guiding rod has a length defining a third medial line arranged orthogonal to the main plane, orthogonal to the first line, orthogonal to the second medial line, and parallel to the secondary plane. Linear movement of the pivot anchor along the third medial line results in linear movement of the first shutter along the first medial line and linear movement of the second shutter along the second medial line. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, An apparatus includes a first shutter, a first pivot arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is disposed in mechanical communication with the first shutter, a second shutter, and a second pivot arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is disposed in mechanical communication with the second shutter and the first end is disposed in mechanical communication with the first end of the first pivot arm. Linear movement of the first ends of the first and second pivot arms results in linear movement of the first shutter and the second shutter. 
     These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a diagram of an electrical system; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a circuit breaker trolley, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a first view of a shutter portion of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second view of the shutter portion of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a third view of the shutter portion of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth view of the shutter portion of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a fifth view of the shutter portion of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a sixth view of the shutter portion of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present invention are described in detail. However, these embodiments may be varied in many ways. Thus, the following description is not intended to be limiting. 
     Conventionally, DC electrical systems may include a DC circuit breaker arranged therein to provide over-current protection. Voltages of the DC electrical systems may be of a relatively large value depending upon any particular application. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a diagram of a DC electrical system. 
     As illustrated, the system  100  may include a DC voltage source  101 . The DC voltage source  101  may be any suitable source, for example a high-voltage DC bus, rectified AC source, or any other suitable voltage source. The system  100  may further include terminals  102  and  104 . The terminals  102  and  104  may be electrically conductive terminals disposed to receive a DC circuit breaker  103 . The terminals  102  and  104  may provide electrical power connections to the DC voltage source  101  and a ground and/or negative power connection to the DC voltage source  101 . Thus, if the DC circuit breaker  103  is in operative communication with both terminals  102  and  104 , the system  100  may be protected from excess current through operation of the DC circuit breaker  103 . 
     As described above, voltages within a DC electrical system may quite high. It follows that as terminals  102  and  104  provide electrical power connections to the DC voltage source  101 , any human contact or proximity to the terminals  102  and  104  may be undesirable. Example embodiments provide novel circuit breaker receiving modules with shutter portions arranged thereon to prevent or dissuade undesirable human contact with energized terminals. 
     For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates a circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment. The module  200  includes a structural housing  201 . The structural housing  201  is disposed to receive a circuit breaker trolley  300 , illustrated in  FIG. 3  which is described in more detail herein-below. 
     The structural housing includes upper planar support platform  210  extending an entire length of the structural housing  201  from a frontal end of the structural housing  201  to a rear surface  215  of the structural housing  201 . Further, the structural housing  201  includes rails  202  and side supports  209  arranged parallel to the upper planar support platform  210 , which also extend the entire length of the structural housing  201 . 
     The structural housing  201  further includes central bracket  203  arranged on a bottom surface of the structural housing  201 . A first end of the central bracket  203  is arranged proximate a rear surface  216  of the structural housing  201 , and a second end of the central bracket  203  is arranged between the frontal end of the structural housing  201  and the rear surface  216 . An exemplary function of the central bracket  203  is to lock and limit motion of the circuit breaker trolley  300  within the structural housing  201 . 
     The structural housing  201  further includes protective shutter portion  400  arranged thereon, proximate to both the rear surfaces  215  and  216 . The shutter portion  400  is described more fully herein-below. The shutter portion  400  includes protective shutters  205 , and shutter activation assembly  208 . The shutter activation assembly  208  is disposed and configured to receive a shutter activation rod  307  arranged on the circuit breaker trolley  300 , which is described more fully herein-below. The shutter activation assembly  208  includes a threaded bushing  501  configured to receive a drive screw  502  connected in collinear alignment with a guided path of the shutter activation rod  307 . The guided path of the shutter activation rod  307  is a line orthogonal to planes formed by the rear surfaces  215  and  216 . The drive screw  502  is affixed and/or attached to the shutter activation rod  307 . Thus rotation of the shutter activation rod  307  rotates the drive screw  502  which engages the threaded bushing  503  in a similar manner as inserted or removing a conventional screw. 
     As noted above,  FIG. 3  illustrates the circuit breaker trolley  300  disposed to be inserted within the structural housing  201 , according to an example embodiment. The circuit breaker trolley  300  includes circuit breaker  103  arranged therein. The circuit breaker  103  includes terminal mating portions  306  disposed to mate with terminals arranged proximate the structural housing  201 , protected by protective shutters  205 . The circuit breaker trolley  300  further includes rollers  308  disposed to engage with support rails  202  of the structural housing  201 . The circuit breaker trolley  300  further includes bottom surface  305 , and rollers  304  arranged proximate the bottom surface  305 . The rollers  304  are disposed to support the trolley  300  and facilitate movement of the trolley  300  outside of the structural housing  201 . However, upon insertion of the trolley  300  within the structural housing  201 , rollers  308  run onto rails  202  that are terminated with rising slots at the front side of the structural housing  201  in order to lift the trolley  300  so it starts rolling on the rollers  308 . Rollers  304  are not in direct contact with a bottom surface of the structural housing  201 . There may be any suitable number of rollers  304  arranged on the bottom surface. 
     The circuit breaker trolley  300  further includes front panel  301 . The front panel  301  is arranged proximate the circuit breaker  103  on a frontal end of the circuit breaker trolley  300 . The front panel  301  includes access features  302 , which are disposed to allow operation of circuit breaker and interlocking control mechanisms  324 . The front panel  301  further includes locks  323  arranged thereon. The locks  323  may be disposed to engage with the structural housing  201 . The circuit breaker trolley  300  further includes vents  322  arranged thereon, which are disposed to allow ventilation of the circuit breaker  103 . The circuit breaker trolley  300  further includes handle  321  arranged proximate the front panel  301 , which are disposed to facilitate movement, insertion, and withdrawal of the circuit breaker trolley  300  to/from the structural housing  201 . 
     Further illustrated is shutter activation rod  307 . The shutter activation rod protrudes from a rear portion of the circuit breaker trolley  300 . Further, a first end of the shutter activation rod may include an engagement means, the shutter activation rod engagement means may be accessed through access features  302 , and a tool or rotation means may be rotated or turned thereby rotating the shutter activation rod  307 . For example, a hand crank, motor, or other tool or rotation means may be attached to the shutter activation rod  307  at the engagement means thereby facilitating rotation. The activation means may be a lost, threaded hole or threaded exterior, notching, plurality of notching, geometrically shaped exterior, or any other suitable means. 
     As described above, the structural housing  201  is configured to receive the circuit breaker trolley  300 . During receipt of the circuit breaker trolley  300 , the shutter activation rod  307  should be rotated. Further, as the circuit breaker trolley is being received, rotational movement of the shutter activation rod  307  facilitates opening of the protective shutters  205 , thereby allowing electrical communication between the circuit breaker  103  and terminals protected by the shutters  205 . Even further, during extraction or withdrawal of the circuit breaker trolley  300 , the shutter activation rod  300  should be rotated again. This additional rotational movement of the shutter activation rod facilitates closing of the shutters  205 , thereby protecting said terminals upon the circuit breaker trolley&#39;s extraction. 
     The shutter activation and protection movements are described more fully below, with reference to  FIGS. 4-9 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first view of the shutter portion  400  of the circuit breaker receiving module  200 , according to an example embodiment. As illustrated, the shutter portion  400  includes housing  401 . The housing  401  is arranged on base-plate  402 . The base-plate  402  includes shutter rail  403  arranged thereon, and the housing  401  includes a second shutter rail  406  arranged thereon, opposite the shutter rail  403 . The shutter rail  403  includes shutter roller cutouts  431  and  432 . The shutter roller cutouts  431  and  432  are disposed to receive rollers  433 ,  434 ,  435 , and  436 . The rollers  433 ,  434 ,  435 , and  436  are arranged on shutter support plates  404 . As illustrated, two shutter support plates  404  are disposed to move between an open and closed position guided in near linear movement by the rollers  433 ,  434 ,  435 ,  436 . The shutters  205  are arranged on and attached to the shutter support plates  404 , for example with screws, bolts, rivets, or any suitable attachment means. 
     The shutters  205 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , are in a fully open position.  FIG. 5  illustrates a second view of the shutter portion  400  of the circuit breaker receiving module  200 , with the shutters also in the fully open position, according to an example embodiment. As illustrated, the terminals  405  are exposed thereby facilitating receiving of the circuit breaker  103  arranged within the circuit breaker trolley  300 . The opening of the shutters  205  is facilitated through rotational interaction of the shutter activation rod  307  which is in mechanical communication with threaded shutter activation bolt  502  that engages with threaded bushing  501 . According to at least one example embodiment, the shutter activation rod  307  is fixedly attached to the shutter activation bolt  502  (e.g., welded, glued, etc). According to other example embodiments, the shutter activation rod  307  is in severable connection with the shutter activation bolt  502  (e.g., bolted, screwed, etc). If in a closed position, the shutters  205  may be locked through use of locking rings  251  and  252  which are attached to each shutter allowing for insertion of a pad lock or any suitable locking mechanism. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a third view of the shutter portion  400  of the circuit breaker receiving module  200 , according to an example embodiment. As illustrated, the shutter support plates  404  may include a tensioning spring  600  attached thereto. The tensioning spring  600  may facilitate assured closing of the shutters  205  during withdrawal of the circuit breaker trolley  300 . 
     As further illustrated, the base plate  402  includes pivot support plate  601  arranged thereon, and attached thereon by attachment bolts  605 . The attachment bolts  605  may be any suitable bolt, including self-tapping sheet metal screws/bolts, threaded bolts, rivets, or any suitable attachment means. The pivot support plate  601  is disposed to support a pivot assembly comprising pivot guide  703  (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), pivot anchor  604  and pivot arms  602 , and the base plate  402  is disposed to receive pivot rollers  603 . Turning now to  FIG. 7  a more detailed view of the pivot assembly is illustrated. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth view of the shutter portion  400  of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment. As illustrated, the base plate  402  includes pivot roller cutouts  701  and  702 , which are disposed to receive and guide pivot rollers  603 . Furthermore, the pivot rollers  603  are attached to respective shutter support plates  402 . Thus, as the pivot rollers move in a generally linear fashion within the cutouts  701 ,  702 , the shutter support plates move into the open or closed position thereby opening or closing the shutters  205 . For example, if the pivot anchor  604  is moved in a direction of a line orthogonal to a plane defined by the shutters  205 , the shutters synchronously move towards or away from said orthogonal line. Thus, linear movement of the pivot anchor  604  is translated to linear movement of the shutters  205  through mechanical interaction between the pivot anchor  604 , the pivot arms  602 , the pivot rollers  603 , the shutter support plates  402 , and the shutters  205 . Such movement may be considered somewhat similar to the mechanical movement of a pair or scissors, albeit in a somewhat more linear fashion. The movement of the pivot anchor  604  is facilitated through the rotational mechanical interaction between the shutter activation bolt  502 , which is affixed/attatched to shutter activation rod  307 . The shutter activation rod  307  is arranged through the circuit breaker trolley, being supported by bushing  704  and bushing support plate  705 . Thus, the shutter activation rod  307  is free to rotate within the circuit breaker trolley  300 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a fifth view of the shutter portion  400  of the circuit breaker receiving module, according to an example embodiment. As illustrated, the pivot arms  602  each include a notch  801  formed as a lateral cutout following a plane formed parallel to the cutouts  701 - 702 . Thus, each pivot arm  602  may freely move in a generally linear fashion along the cutouts  701 - 702 , respectively. 
     Hereinafter opening and closing of the protective shutters  205  is described in detail. Making reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  7 , and  9 , the arrangement of the shutter activation rod  307 , the shutter activation bolt  502 , and the shutter activation bushing  501  is illustrated. As previously described, the shutter activation bushing is threaded and receives the shutter activation bolt  502 . Further, the shutter activation rod  307  is attached and configured to support the shutter activation bolt  502 , and translate rotational movement similar to the application of rotational force to insert or extract a conventional bolt or screw. 
     As the shutter activation bolt  502  is rotated, the pivot anchor  604  is forced to move in the linear fashion described above. The resulting linear movement thus forces the pivot arms  602  to translate said linear movement orthogonally to the shutter support plates  402  along paths defined by the cutouts  701 - 702 . It is noted that the shutter activation bolt may be rotated similarly to a conventional bolt or screw, thus allowing linear motion of the pivot anchor in two directions, which facilitates both opening and closing of the shutters  205  during insertion and withdrawal of the circuit breaker trolley  300 . 
     Thus, as described above, example embodiments of the present invention provide circuit breaker trolleys and circuit breaker receiving modules. The circuit breaker receiving modules include protective shutters that, upon receiving mechanical forces translated from rotational force applied during circuit breaker trolley receipt or withdrawal, automatically open/close. The rotational force is applied at a frontal end of the circuit breaker trolley during trolley insertion to facilitate insertion of a shutter activation bolt through a threaded shutter activation bushing. During insertion, linear motion of an end of the shutter activation bolt forces linear motion of a pivot anchor in the same linear direction. The motion of the pivot anchor is translated through two pivots attached thereto to shutter support plates which synchronously move along lines substantially orthogonal to a line defined by the linear motion of the pivot trolley. Further, a tensioned spring may be attached to each shutter support plate to facilitate closing of the shutter support plates during extraction of the shutter activation bolt. The extraction and insertion of the shutter activation bolt is facilitated through its rotation inside of the bushing  501 . 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.