Abstract:
A positioning block and method for spacing riser bus bars includes an insulating material body forming recesses along a longitudinal axis of the block, each recess for receiving an electric riser bus bar therein. A binding feature is formed adjacent to at least one wall of the recesses for securing the riser bus bar within the recess. A locator feature is formed between the walls of each recess for aligning the riser bus bar within the recess.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/026,194 filed on Feb. 5, 2008, incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates to positioning blocks for securing voltage carrying members, and more particularly, to a positioning block configured to connect to riser bus bars to maintain a position of the riser bus bars and gaps therebetween. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Meter modules include a plurality of externally visible power consumption meters. The meter modules electrically connect with an electric power distribution system by an electric busway system riser. The busway system riser includes separate vertically extending bus conductors, one for each phase within a multi-phase power distribution system along with a neutral bus conductor. Connected to these bus conductors are riser bus bars or bus bars. During the assembly or installation of a busway meter module apparatus, the bus bars may move increasing the risk of coming into contact with adjacent riser bars of different polarities. 
     In conventional systems, the riser bars were connected to meter socket assemblies and straps in an assembly-fixture. The assembly fixture with the riser bars and meter socket assemblies were then transported and installed into a final assembly of the busway system. This method is cumbersome and leaves the possibility of shifting or undesired movement of the bus bars during transport and installation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A positioning block and method for spacing riser bus bars includes an insulating material body forming recesses along a longitudinal axis of the block, each recess for receiving an electric riser bus bar therein. A binding feature is formed adjacent to at least one wall of the recesses for securing the riser bus bar within the recess. A locator feature is formed between the walls of each recess for aligning the riser bus bar within the recess. 
     Another positioning block for spacing riser bus bars includes an insulating material body forming recesses along a longitudinal axis of the block, each recess for receiving an electric riser bus bar therein. A pair of opposing binding features is formed adjacent to opposing walls of the recesses for securing the riser bus bar within the recess. A locator feature is formed between the walls of each recess for aligning the riser bus bar within the recess. 
     A method for securing riser bus bars includes providing a positioning block having an insulating material body forming recesses along a longitudinal axis of the block, a pair of opposing binding features formed adjacent to opposing walls of the recesses and a locator feature formed between the walls of each recess; aligning the positioning block on one or more riser bus bars by employing the locator feature to receive an electric riser bus bar within the recesses; and securing the positioning block on the riser bus bars by employing the binding features to secure the riser bus bars within the recesses. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       This disclosure will present in detail the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical enclosure with a cover removed having a meter stack fabricated therein also with a cover removed; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electrical enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a close up view of riser bus bars; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a positioning block in accordance with one illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a positional block being installed on riser bus bars in accordance with the present principles; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a sub-assembly formed by using two positional blocks on riser bus bars in accordance with the present principles; 
         FIG. 6  is a magnified view of detail  5  shown in  FIG. 5  showing a positional block attached to the riser bus bars in accordance with the present principles; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the positioning block at a reverse angle showing recesses or openings where access to snap stems permits the removal of the positional block after its installation in accordance with one illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides a way of positioning, stabilizing and insulating single or three phase vertical bus sockets. A positioning block in accordance with the present principles is employed to fasten together two or more vertical bus bars keeping them properly spaced electrically as well as providing a way to keep the bus bars assembled as a unit while attaching them to meter socket positions in a cabinet or meter unit. 
     The positioning block in accordance with the present principles gap the single or 3 phase vertical bus bars that distribute electrical current to individual meter sockets in a modular metering unit. The positioning bar serves as a support structure/fixture preventing the bus bars from coming into contact with one another as well as providing a way of keeping the bus assembly intact while installing the riser bus bars in the meter stack assembly. 
     The present invention will be described in terms of a meter module assembly but should not be construed as limited to the illustrative example and may be employed with other electrical assemblies of other devices where a temporary assembly of parts is needed. 
     All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
     Referring now in specific detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements throughout the several views, and initially to  FIG. 1 , a partially assembled meter module assembly or enclosure  10  includes three (or four or more) electrically insulated bus bar conductors or riser bus bars  12  for a power system. The meter assembly  10  includes a meter stack enclosure  18 . Both the meter module assembly  10  and the meter stack enclosure  18  are depicted with their respective covers removed to show internal details. The bus bar conductors  12  each carry a separate current phase of a three-phase electrical power distribution system. The meter module assembly  10 , when assembled is configured to receive a plurality of meters (not shown) on meter sockets  14 . 
     The riser bus bars  12  are installed in the meter stack enclosure  18  and may be bolted or otherwise mounted therein. Since each riser bus bar  12  is installed separately tolerances and misalignments could build up and cause the assembly to function outside of specifications. Since the electrical components may be carrying high voltages and currents providing a predetermined and safe gab/spacing between the riser bus bars  12  is an important consideration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a closer view of the meter stack enclosure  18  is shown to more clearly show the riser bus bars  12  therein. The riser bars  12  are disposed vertically in the enclosure  18 . Each riser bar  12  preferably includes at least one through hole  20  formed therein. The through hole  20  in each riser bus bar  12  is preferably provided at a same corresponding location on the riser bar  12  such that at assembly time a set of through holes line up horizontally across the riser bus bars  12 . This could be altered to provide a hole pattern as needed based upon the type or design of a position bar as described hereinafter. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a positioning block  100  is provided in accordance with the present principles. Block  100  may include an insulating material, and preferably includes a dimensionally stable insulating material. For example, block  100  may include XYRON 540V (commercially available from ASAHI™) or NORYL SE1-X (commercially available for GENERAL ELECTRIC™). In one illustrative example, block  100  includes body dimensions of, e.g., 8 in.×0.750 in.×1.2 in. Other dimensions are also contemplated and acceptable depending on preference and application. 
     Block  100  includes a plurality of recesses  102 . These recesses  102  are spaced apart by a predetermined or set amount to provide a fixed gap between riser bars  12  ( FIG. 2 ) when assembled. In one embodiment, regions  104  provide a spacing of 0.750 inches between riser bars  12 . Other gap distances may also be employed. Binding snaps  106  are formed at or near walls of the recesses  102 . Binding snaps  106  are designed and configured such that when riser bus  12  is fastened to the block  100 , an angular feature  108  of the snap  106  will flex and spread to capture a broader area of the bus bar surface. The snaps  106  will flex using snap stems  134 . When the snaps  106  recover, the riser bus  12  will be captured and secured by the block  100 . Locator pins  110  are provided protruding from a surface  112 . The locator pins  110  fit into through holes  20  ( FIG. 2 ) of riser bars  12 . 
     Other snaps or binding designs are also contemplated. In one such embodiment, a single binding on one wall of a recess  102  may be employed along with an opposing wall of that recess to secure the riser bar  12  (e.g., only one binding is employed). In other embodiments, other mechanical elements such as screws, cams, clips or the like may be employed to secure the riser bars  12  in recesses  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , during assembly, the riser bars  12  are aligned with the snaps  106  and locator pins  110  of the positioning block  100 . The positioning block  100  is forced toward the riser bars  12  into the recesses  102 , preferably one at a time. The riser bar  12  is forced into the recess  102  so that the locator pins  110  pass through the through hole  20 . The locator pins  110  of block  100  are aligned with holes  20  in the riser bus bars  12  ( FIG. 4 ). The snaps  106  are spread apart from each other for that recess  102  as the block  100  is pushed downward in the direction of arrow “A” ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The binding snaps  106  expand outward until a width of the bus bar  12  clears snap points of the snaps  106 . The snaps  106  then spring inwardly capturing the bus bar  12  in place ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). As the riser bar  12  moves further into the recess  102 , the snaps  106  recover to capture the riser bar  12  in the recess  102  keeping the riser bar  12  securely in position. To release the riser bar  12 , the snaps  106  simply need to be spread apart and the positioning block pulled away from the riser bar  12 . 
     To ensure a proper gap along the riser bars  12 , multiple positioning blocks  100  may be installed along the length of the riser bars  12 . In one embodiment, an assembly  130  as depicted in  FIG. 5  may be assembled and moved to be placed within an enclosure. Since the positioning blocks  100  secure the riser bars  12  in all directions, subassembly  130  can be moved and installed as a unit. Alternately, subassembly  130  may be assembled within an enclosure one component at a time (e.g., first riser bars  12  followed by positioning blocks  100 ). The positioning blocks  100  permit easier assembly of subsequently assembled components such as meter sockets  14  ( FIG. 1 ), straps and meters. 
     The block  100  maintains a designed distance between the individual bus bars  12  preventing them from being allowed to be pulled or pushed too close to one another to cause an electrical short spacing issue during operation. It should be understood that while locating features such as locator pins  110  are illustratively depicted in the FIGS., other indexing mechanisms may be employed such as slots or tabs. Further, instead of or in addition to the binding features depicted, e.g., snaps  106 , other securing mechanisms may be employed. For example, magnetic components, epoxies, clips etc. may be employed to secure the positioning block  100  to riser bars  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an illustrative example is shown for a back side of the positioning block  100 . In this embodiment, snap stems  134  are accessible from the reverse side of the block  100 . Access to the snap stems  134  is provided within openings or recesses  136 . If a positioning block should need to be removed from a riser bar assembly, a technician or mechanic could insert a screw driver or other wedge tool into the recess  136  to disengage the snap  106  from the riser bar  12  being secured by the snap  106 . In one embodiment, a tool having a wedge or wedges corresponding to each recess  136  may be employed to concurrently release all of the snaps  106  and free the positioning block  100  from the riser bars  12 . 
     The positioning block  100  facilitates at least three main functions. 1) The block  100  permits assembly of the riser bus bars as a single unit so that other components can be easily assembled thereto during manufacture. 2) The block  100  helps to maintain the proper through-air spacing between components of opposite polarity after the riser bus bars  12  are assembled to the block  100 . 3) The block  100  maintains the position of the riser-bus assembly during any removal or replacement of components in the field. The block  100  is easily installed without any additional mechanical fastening means. 
     Having described preferred embodiments for riser bar positioning block (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.