Patent Publication Number: US-8973519-B2

Title: Recloser position indicator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35. U.S.C. §119, based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/522,737, filed Aug. 12, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A recloser may generally be viewed as a circuit breaker equipped with a mechanism that can automatically close the circuit breaker after the breaker has been opened due to a fault. Reclosers may be used, for example, on overhead power distribution systems. Since many short circuits on overhead lines clear themselves, a recloser can improve service continuity by automatically restoring power to a line after a momentary fault. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  provides a side view of a recloser with a position indicator according to an implementation described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an actuator for a recloser consistent with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the actuator of  FIG. 2  according to an implementation described herein; 
         FIG. 4  provides a bottom and a cross-sectional view of the color display disc of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an actuator according to another implementation described herein; 
         FIG. 6A  provides isometric views of the lighting unit of  FIG. 5  according to an implementation described herein; 
         FIG. 6B  provides isometric views of a lighting unit according to another implementation described herein; and 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating use of the position indicator in a system including a circuit breaker. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
     Embodiments described herein provide a position indicator for a recloser that includes rotational movement and/or a lighted color indication. For example, in one embodiment, the position indicator may include a display disc with multiple first-colored (e.g., green) sections and multiple second-colored (e.g., red) sections that indicate a status of the recloser. A lens unit, affixed to a portion of the recloser, may physically support the display disc and may allow the display disc to rotate within the lens unit. The lens unit may include multiple opaque sections and multiple non-opaque sections with which the display disc may be aligned to alternately reveal only the first-colored sections or only the second-colored sections. When the recloser changes position (e.g., trips a breaker), an indicator care may receive a linear force initiated by a component within the recloser. The indicator cam may translate the linear force to a rotational force on the display disc to cause the display disc to rotate from a first position (e.g., that aligns the multiple first-colored sections with the multiple non-opaque sections) to a second position (e.g., that aligns the multiple second-colored sections with the multiple non-opaque sections). The status indicator may also include a lighting unit configured to illuminate the multiple non-opaque sections from within the status indicator, such that either the multiple first-colored sections or the multiple second-colored sections can be visible from any angle within a viewing hemisphere below the status indicator. 
       FIG. 1  provides a side view of a recloser  100  with a status indicator  110  according to an implementation described herein. Referring to  FIG. 1 , recloser  100  may include a status indicator  110  and a bottom casing  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , bottom casing  120  may include an opening to allow status indicator  110  to be exposed through bottom casing  120  so as to be visible to a person (e.g., a technician) standing below recloser  100 . As described further herein, a multi-colored display disc within status indicator  110  may rotate on a fixed axis to provide a visible status indication from any angle within a viewing hemisphere below bottom casing  120 . Additionally, or alternatively, status indicator  110  may include a lighting unit to provide a color-coded status indication at night. In one implementation, status indicator  110  may be included within an actuator of recloser  100 . 
       FIG. 2  provides an isometric view of an actuator  200  for recloser  100  consistent with an exemplary embodiment. Status indicator  110  may be integrated with an actuator housing  210  and/or operatively connected to actuator  200 . For example, actuator  200  may be contained within bottom casing  120  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) of recloser  100  and positioned such that an indicator lens  220  of status indicator  110  may protrude through a hole in bottom casing  120  to provide for visibility to a person below recloser  100 . 
     Housing  210  may be an enclosed structure that houses components of actuator  200  and may provide a structure to support components of status indicator  110 , including indicator lens  220 . Housing  210  may be metal, plastic, or a composite material. Indicator lens  220  may provide a viewing area to display indications by status indicator  110 . Indicator lens  220  is described further in connection with, for example,  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a cross-sectional view of a portion of actuator  200  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 3 , actuator  200  may include status indicator  110 , housing  210 , and a plunger  300 . Status indicator  110  may include indicator lens  220  with a recess  310 , a color display disc  320 , an indicator cam  330 , a spring  340 , an indicator coupler  350 , and an indicator plate  360 . The exemplary configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3  is provided for simplicity. It should be understood that actuator  200  may include more or fewer devices than illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Plunger  300  may be located in a central portion of actuator  200 . Plunger may move axially (e.g., linearly in an up or down direction indicated in  FIG. 3 ) within a bore of actuator  200  in response to, for example, application/removal of a magnetic field. Plunger  300  may be linked to plunger coupler  302  and pull rod linker  304 . The axial motion of plunger  300  may be used to perform an operation (e.g., open/close a circuit breaker) and provide a status (e.g., a position indication) of the operation. Status indicator  110  generally may be configured to respond to changes in position of plunger  300 . Components of status indicator  110  may be directly or indirectly connected to plunger  300  to provide status indications based on the position of plunger  300 . 
     Indicator lens  220  may include a surface to physically support and selectively display portions of color display disc  320 . Indicator lens  220  may include a transparent material, such as glass, plastic (e.g., polycarbonate), crystal, etc. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , indicator lens  220  may include a partially-conical surface to provide visibility of color display disc  320  from multiple viewing angles. Indicator lens  220  may be secured to actuator housing  210  using mechanical fasteners, compression fit, tongue-in-grove mechanisms, etc. In one implementation indicator lens  220  may include a seal against actuator housing  210  to provide a weatherproof enclosure (e.g., to protect other components of actuator  200 /status indicator  110 ) from moisture, dust, etc.). In one implementation (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ), indicator lens  220  may include alternating radial sixty degree opaque and non-opaque (e.g., transparent/translucent) sections. The opaque sections may be formed, for example, using separate films, coatings, or other materials applied to indicator lens  220 . In another implementation, the opaque sections may be included as a separate layer/disc between indicator lens  220  and color display disc  320 . Lens  220  and the separate layer of opaque sections may be collective referred to as “indicator lens  220 ” or a lens unit. As described further below, indicator lens  220  may also include recess  310  to create a channel for axial motion (e.g., in an up or down direction indicated in  FIG. 3 ) of indicator cam  330 . 
       FIG. 4  provides a bottom and a cross-sectional view of color display disc  320 . Referring collectively to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , color display disc  320  may include a stem  322 , a pin  324 , a pin cavity  400 , and color-coded sections  410 / 420  to visibly indicate a status of recloser  100 . Color display disc  320  may be configured with a partially conical wall  430  (e.g., of the same angle as on indicator lens  220 ) to generally conform to interior surfaces of indicator lens  220 . In an exemplary implementation, color display disc  320  may include alternating sections  410  and  420  of a first color (e.g., green) and a second color (e.g., red) along an exterior surface  440  and that each cover about sixty radial degrees of the circular bottom and conical sides of status indicator  110 . In other implementations, color display disc  320  may include words (e.g., “open,” “closed,” etc.) addition to, or in place of, colors for color-coded sections  410 / 420 . 
     Color display disc  320  and indicator lens  220  may be aligned so that indicator lens  220  may selectively expose only sections  410  or  420  of one color of color display disc  320  at any time. That is, with a sixty degree rotation of color display disc  320  within indicator lens  220 , status indicator  110  may switch between only first color sections  410  being visible (e.g., through non-opaque sections of indicator lens  220 , while the second color sections  420  are blocked by the opaque sections of indicator lens  220 ) and only the second color sections  420  being visible. 
     Stem  322  of color display disc  320  may support pin  324 . In one implementation, pin  324  may be made of a different piece and/or material than color display disc  320  and may be inserted through stem  322  and indicator cam  330 . In another implementation, pin  324  may be molded with color display disc  320  as a single piece. Pin  324  may extend through pin cavity  400  and indicator cam  330 . Pin  324  may be configured to fit within indicator cam  330  such that axial movement (e.g., in an up or down direction indicated in  FIG. 3 ) of indicator cam  330  may impart rotational motion to pin  324  and color display disc  320 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , indicator cam  330  may be connected to indicator coupler  350  and may move axially within recess  310  and pin cavity  400 . Indicator cam  330  may be metal, plastic, or a composite material. Motion of plunger  300  may be translated via plunger coupler  302  and indicator coupler  350  to apply a linear force on indicator cam  330 . Indicator cam  330  may include a substantially spiral channel to engage pin  324 . Linear force applied to indicator cam  330  may cause pin  324  to rotate about a common axis of indicator lens  220 /color display disc  320 /indicator cam  330 . The axial travel of indicator cam  330  may correspond to the travel distance (or stroke distance) of plunger  300 . In an exemplary implementation, a maximum distance of axial travel of indicator cam  330  may correspond to a 60 degree rotation of color display disc  320 . For example, an axial travel distance of 0.004 inches by indicator cam  330  may correspond to a 60 degree rotation of color display disc  320 . 
     Spring  340  may include a coil spring or another type of spring. Spring  340  may provide downward force on stem  322  to maintain color display disc  320  in position against indicator lens  220 , while still permitting rotation of color display disc  320 , regardless of the position of indicator plate  360 . 
     Indicator coupler  350  may secure indicator plate  360  to plunger  300  via plunger coupler  302 . In one implementation, indicator coupler  350  may be screwed into plunger coupler  302 , which may in turn be screwed into plunger  300 . Indicator coupler  350  may be adjusted, for example, to control the start/stop height of indicator cam  330  and indicator plate  360 . 
     Indicator plate  360  may translate motion from plunger  300  to indicator cam  330 . In  FIG. 3 , indicator plate  360  (along with plunger  300  and indicator can  330 ) is shown in a maximum up (highest) position. 
     In operation, activation of plunger  300  in a downward stroke may cause a corresponding downward motion of indicator plate  360  and indicator cam  330 . While traveling in an axial direction, plunger  300 , indicator cam  330 , and indicator plate  360  may not rotate. The downward motion of indicator cam  330  into recess  310  may force rotation (e.g., about 60 degrees of counter-clockwise rotation) of color display disc  320  by guiding pin  324  through the spiral channel of indicator can  330 . The rotation of color display disc  320  may cause first color sections  410  to move behind the opaque sections of indicator lens  220  and cause second color sections  420  to become visible through the non-opaque sections of indicator lens  220 . Activation of plunger  300  in an upward stroke may reverse the cycle, causing color display disc  320  to rotate back to its original orientation to display first color sections  410 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an actuator  500  according to another implementation described herein. Referring to  FIG. 5 , actuator  500  may include housing  210 , plunger  300 , and a status indicator  510 . Status indicator  510  may include indicator lens  220  with recess  310 ; indicator cam  330 ; spring  340 ; indicator coupler  350 ; a lighting unit  520  with lamps  530  and connector studs  540 ; a color display disc  550 , and an indicator plate  560 . The exemplary configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5  is provided for simplicity. It should be understood that actuator  500  may include more or fewer devices than illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Plunger  300 , indicator lens  220  with recess  310 , indicator cam  330 , spring  340 , and indicator coupler  350  may include features similar to those describe above in connection with  FIGS. 2-4 . Status indicator  510  generally may be configured to respond to changes in position of plunger  300 . Components of status indicator  510  may be directly or indirectly connected to plunger  300  to provide status indications based on the position of plunger  300 . In the configuration of  FIG. 5 , status indicator  510  may provide an illuminated status indication that can be visible at night. 
     Lighting unit  520  may be located within status indicator  510  (e.g., within the weather-proof enclosure formed by indicator lens  220 .  FIG. 6A  provides isometric views of lighting unit  520 . Referring collectively to  FIGS. 5 and 6A , lighting unit  520  may include lamps  530 , connector studs  540 , circuit board  600 , and resistors  610 . 
     Lamps  530  may include, for example, one or more light emitting diode (LED) lamps, solid state lighting lamp, fluorescent lamp, plasma lamp, neon lamp, halogen lamp, multi-filament lamp, gas discharge lamp, incandescent lamp, arc lamp, etc. Each of lamps  530  may be positioned over, for example, a different transparent section of indicator lens  220 . In one implementation, each of lamps  530  may emit the same light color (e.g., white) that may be filtered by either color-coded sections  410  or color-coded sections  420  of color display disc  550  to provide a lighted indication. In other implementations, lamps  530  may include a multi-color light that may selectively illuminate a color corresponding to a status of recloser  100 . 
     Connector studs  540  may include one or more structural pieces to secure circuit board  600  within status indicator. Connector studs  540  may be metal, plastic, or a composite material. In one implementation, connector studs  540  may be configured to extend through bores in indicator plate  560  to attach to a stationary component of actuator  500  within housing  210 . Connector studs  540  may be sufficiently long to maintain circuit board  600  beyond the axial travel (or stroke) distance of indicator plate  560 . One or more of connector studs  540  may also provide a conduit to provide electrical power to circuit board  600 . For example, connector studs  540  may include an electrical contact to tie into a power supply (e.g., the same power supply used to activate actuator  500 ). 
     Circuit board  600  may include a printed circuit board to mechanically support and electrically connect lamps  530 , connector studs  540 , resistors  610 , and other components. In one implementation, as shown in  FIG. 6A , circuit board  600  may include a circular cutout to prevent interference with indicator cam  330  (and spring  340 , not labeled in  FIG. 5 ). In one implementation, circuit board  600  may be configured to continuously illuminate lamps  530 . In another implementation, circuit board  600  may include or be operatively connected to a light sensor to only activate lamps  530  when low-light conditions are present. 
     Color display disc  550  may include a similar configuration to that of color display disc  320 , including stem  322 , pin  324 , pin cavity  400 , and color-coded sections  410 / 420 . However, color display disc  550  may include a transparent or translucent material so that at least some bands of light emitted from LEDs  530  may be visible through color-coded sections  410 / 420 . In one implementation, color-coded sections  410 / 420  may filter white light from LEDs  530  to provide a particular visible light color corresponding to each color-coded section  410 / 420 . 
     Indicator plate  560  may include a similar configuration to that of indicator plate  360  with the exception that indicator plate  560  may include bores that allow connector studs  540  to pass through indicator plate  560  so that lighting unit  520  remains stationary when indicator plate  560  moves axially (e.g., when plunger  300  is actuated). 
     In another implementation, as shown in  FIG. 6B , circuit board  600  may be attached to a single connector stud  540 . Lamps  530  and resistors  610  may be clustered in a small area and positioned over, for example, a single transparent section of indicator lens  220 . In the configuration of  FIG. 6B , each of lamps  530  may include a different color that may be selectively illuminated to indicate a different status/position of recloser  100 . Thus, in the configuration of  FIG. 6B , status indicator  510  would not need to rely on color-coded sections  410 / 420  to provide a color filter. Instead, the position of components of actuator  500  (e.g., plunger  300 , plunger coupler  302 , pull rod linker  304 , etc.) could selectively trigger a different colored lamp  530 . 
     Alternatively, in the configuration of  FIG. 6B , each of lamps  530  may include a same color to provide additional intensity and/or redundancy. The cluster of lamps  530  could be filtered by a single one of color-coded sections  410 / 420 . In still another implementation, a single lamp color may be used to indicate a status. The single lamp color may be illuminated to indicate one position (e.g., open) and not illuminated to indicate another position (e.g., closed). 
     Status indicator  110 / 510  may be used in a number of implementations in which conventional indicators may not be efficient due to, for example, lighting conditions and/or space conditions.  FIG. 7  is a simplified diagram of an exemplary recloser  100  in which actuator  200  or  500  may be used. Referring to  FIG. 7 , recloser  100  includes actuator  200  or  500 , vacuum circuit breaker  700  and pull rod assembly  710 . Pull rod assembly  710  may include a cable or some other structure that couples pull rod linker  304  of actuator  200 / 500  to vacuum circuit breaker  700 . Pull rod assembly  710  may be coupled to actuator  200 / 500  via a clamping mechanism, a threaded connection, a bolt-on connection or via some other mechanism. Pull rod assembly  710  may move in direction A illustrated in  FIG. 7  in response to movement of pull rod link  304 . The linear movement of pull rod assembly  710  may be used to open or close vacuum circuit breaker  700 . For example, in one embodiment, the movement of pull rod linker  304  may move pull rod assembly  710  to open the contacts of vacuum circuit breaker  700 . In such a case, status indicator  110 / 510  may display a green color via sections  410 / 420  and/or lamps  530 . Alternatively, movement of pull rod assembly  710  may actuate a trip mechanism to open or close vacuum circuit breaker  700 . In each case, actuator  200 / 500  may be used to trip vacuum circuit breaker  700  at the appropriate time based on the particular conditions/requirements associated with operating conditions of recloser  700 . 
     In response to movement of pull rod linker  304  (translated via plunger  300 , plunger coupler  302 , and indicator cam  330 ), status indicator  110 / 510  may change a visible indication in the transparent lens sections (e.g., from first color section  410  to second color section  420 ). In daylight, second color section  420  may show through the bottom and sides of the transparent lens sections of status indicator  110 / 510  to allow detection, from directly beneath recloser  100  or from a distant viewing angle, that recloser  100  has tripped. At night or low-light conditions, one or more lights (e.g., lamps  530 ) may illuminate second color section  420  through the transparent lens sections of status indicator  510  to allow detection, from directly beneath or from a distant viewing angle. 
     The foregoing description of exemplary implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. 
     For example, in some implementations, status indicators  510  may not include color display disc  320 . Further, other types of connection mechanisms may be used to couple components of status indicators  110 / 510  to each other. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.