Abstract:
A bracket that is attached to a circuit breaker, or circuit breaker enclosure, is designed to allow a remote actuator assembly to be temporarily installed on the breaker. The bracket is designed in such a manner that, once installed, it will allow a human operator to attach a remote actuator assembly to the mounting bracket and that the process of attaching the actuator will not inadvertently cause the breaker to be “opened” or “closed”.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application titled “REMOTE ACTUATOR MOUNTING BRACKET TO PREVENT INADVERTENT BREAKER OPERATION,” filed on Jan. 21, 2015 and assigned application No. 62/105,868, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to the operation of circuit breakers that have separate push buttons for closing and opening (tripping) the circuit breaker. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In large power systems, a typical circuit breaker is operated by a human operator who physically pushes an “open” or “close” button located on or near the circuit breaker. When a human operator causes the circuit breaker to open or close by pressing the open or close buttons while being in close proximity of the circuit breaker, the operator is exposed to possible arc-blast energy if the circuit breaker should catastrophically fail during this activity. Recognizing the potential hazard of personal injury associated with the close proximity operation of electrical circuit breakers, it is advantageous for the human operator to utilize a temporarily installed actuator that allows remote operation of the circuit breaker. The remote actuator assembly may utilize motors, solenoids, or linear actuators that can be remotely commanded to operate breaker without the human operating being in close proximity. 
         [0004]    Using a remote actuator assembly requires the additional step of temporarily attaching the remote actuator over the open and close buttons on the breaker. There is a hazard when the human operator is in the process of installing the remote actuator assembly in that the operator could inadvertently “bump” or press the open or close buttons and cause an unintended operation of the circuit breaker. This inadvertent operation would expose the human operator to potentially the same arc-blast energy in which the remote actuator assembly is intended to protect the human operator from. Additionally, inadvertent operation of the circuit breaker could be catastrophic to the equipment or facilities in which the circuit breaker is supplying electrical energy. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Included are apparatuses, systems, and methods for a mounting bracket for remote operation of a circuit breaker. One embodiment of a system, among others, includes a system for remote operation of a circuit breaker, the system comprising a mounting bracket affixed to a face of the circuit breaker, the mounting bracket comprising a slotted section comprising one or more mounting bracket slots; and a portable actuator assembly coupled to the mounting bracket comprising: a recessed groove extending from a first end to a second end of the portable actuator, the recessed groove being engaged with the slotted section of the mounting bracket; and one or more pins positioned substantially perpendicular to the recessed groove, individual pins of the one or more pins being positioned within a respective slot of the one or more mounting slots. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of an apparatus, among others, includes a mounting bracket for attaching a remote actuator assembly to a circuit breaker, the mounting bracket comprising a mounting section and a slotted section extending outwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the mounting section, the slotted section comprising at least one mounting slot sized to engage with at least one pin of the remote actuator assembly. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of a method, among others, includes a method, comprising attaching a mounting bracket to a face of a circuit breaker, engaging a pin of an actuator assembly with a slot of the mounting bracket, and adjusting a position of actuator assembly about the mounting bracket to align an actuator of the actuator assembly with a breaker button of the circuit breaker. 
         [0008]    Other embodiments, systems, methods, features, and advantages of this disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional apparatuses, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an example of a drawing of the face of a typical circuit breaker showing the open and close pushbuttons. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an example of perspective view of the circuit breaker of  FIG. 1  with a remote actuator assembly mounting bracket installed, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an example of a perspective view of a typical remote actuator assembly with the linear actuators fully retracted. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an example of a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with the linear actuator for the close button shown in the extended position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an example of a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with the linear actuator for the open button shown in the extended position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an example of a bottom view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an example of a front view of the typical circuit breaker of  FIG. 1  with the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  installed utilizing the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an example of a section view of the remote actuator assembly and circuit breaker of  FIG. 7  with the remote actuator assembly shown being engaged on the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2  prior to being slid downward into the “ready to be used” position according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  further illustrates that, due to dimensional features of the bracket and the actuator assembly, the linear actuators of the actuator assembly are not in a position that could inadvertently engage the open and/or close buttons of the circuit breaker. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an example of a section view of the remote actuator assembly and circuit breaker of  FIG. 7  showing the remote actuator assembly engaged with the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2  in the “ready to be used” position, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an example of a section view of the remote actuator assembly and circuit breaker of  FIG. 7  engaged with the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2  showing the linear actuator in the extended position and pushing the breaker open button, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an example of a section view of the remote actuator assembly and circuit breaker of  FIG. 7  with the remote actuator assembly shown with a linear actuator extended while attempting to install the actuator incorrectly on the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 11  illustrates an example of mounting bracket preventing the extended linear actuator from engaging the breaker close button, thereby preventing an inadvertent operation of the circuit breaker. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is an example of a section view of the remote actuator assembly and circuit breaker of  FIG. 7  with the remote actuator assembly shown with a linear actuator in the extended position while attempting to install the actuator correctly on the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 12  illustrates that mounting bracket prevents the extended linear actuator from engaging with the circuit breaker close button, thereby preventing an inadvertent operation of the circuit breaker. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is an example a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with the linear actuators fully retracted and being positioned in alignment against the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an example of a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with the linear actuators fully retracted and positioned against the breaker face and above the open and close pushbuttons and being engaged with the mounding bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is an example of a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with the linear actuators fully retracted and positioned against the breaker face and being engaged with the features of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is an example of a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with the linear actuators fully retracted and positioned against the breaker face and positioned over the open and close buttons and being fully engaged with the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is an example of a perspective view of the typical remote actuator assembly of  FIG. 3  with one of the linear actuators extended while the human operator is attempting to attach to the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2 , according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    In the following discussion, a general description of apparatuses and methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided, followed by a discussion of the operation of the same. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a portable remote actuator assembly mounting bracket capable of holding the remote actuator assembly in place over a circuit breaker open and close buttons. The mounting bracket of the present disclosure can minimize the potential hazard of personal injury, equipment damage, or loss of production with inadvertent operation that could take place while attaching the remote actuator assembly. In the following discussion, a general description of the system and its components is provided, followed by a discussion of the operation of the same. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is an example of a front view of a typical circuit breaker  100  according to various embodiments. The circuit breaker  100  includes an open button  101  and a close button  102 . While the open button  101  and the close button  102  are shown in a horizontal arrangement in  FIG. 1  with the open button  101  to the left of the close button  102 , the arrangement of the open button  101  and close button  102  is not limited to this arrangement. For example, in some embodiments, the open button  101  and close button  102  can be in a vertical arrangement, the open button  101  can be positioned to the right of the close button  102 , the open button  101  may be above the close button  102 , and/or the open button can be positioned above close button  102 . The front of the circuit breaker can include other embodiments not shown on  FIG. 1  that are not relevant to the design or operation of the mounting bracket  200  ( FIG. 2 ) and remote actuator assembly  300  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , shown is an example of a perspective view of the typical circuit breaker  100  with the remote actuator assembly mounting bracket  200  permanently installed on the face of the circuit breaker  100 . The mounting bracket  200  comprises a slotted section  201  extending outwardly from and substantially perpendicular to one or more mounting sections  202 . In some embodiments, the slotted section  201  and the one or more mounting sections  202  are separate pieces coupled together (e.g. soldering, welding, brazing, brackets, screws, etc.) to form the mounting bracket  200 . For example, the slotted section  201  can be coupled substantially perpendicular to the one or more mounting sections  202  to form an I-shaped arrangement. 
         [0030]    In other embodiments, the mounting bracket  200  is a one-piece bracket formed to comprise the slotted section  201  and one or more mounting sections  202 . For example, the mounting bracket  200  may comprise a one-piece unitary material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) that is formed (e.g., bent, molded, etc.) such that the slotted section  201  extends outwardly and substantially perpendicular to the one or more mounting section  202 . 
         [0031]    The slotted section  201  comprises one or more mounting bracket slots  203  and  204  for engaging with pins  304 ,  305  ( FIG. 3 ) of a remote actuator assembly  300  ( FIG. 3 ). It should be noted that the slotted section  201  of the mounting bracket  200  extends outwardly from the one or more mounting sections  202  at a distance that is greater than the length of extended linear actuators  301 ,  302  ( FIG. 3 ) of the remote actuator assembly  300 . The distance being greater than the length of the extended linear actuators  301 ,  302  prevents inadvertent engagement of the extended linear actuator  301 ,  302  with the open button  101  and/or close button  102  during placement of the remote actuator assembly  300  onto a mounting bracket  200  that has been mounted to the circuit breaker  100 . 
         [0032]    The mounting bracket  200  can be installed on the face of the circuit breaker  100  ( FIG. 1 ) via the one or more mounting sections  201  by various methods that include glue, epoxy, riveting, screws, bolts, double-sided tape, and/or any other type of suitable adhesive and/or fastening device. The mounting bracket  200  is installed onto the circuit breaker  100  such that an entry position of the one or more mounting bracket slots  203 ,  204  for the pins  304 ,  305  is not aligned with the open button  101  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or close button  102  ( FIG. 1 ) of the circuit breaker  100 . This prevents inadvertent engagement of an extended linear actuator  301 ,  302  ( FIG. 3 ) with the open button  101  and/or close button  102  of the circuit breaker  100 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , shown is an example of a perspective view of a typical remote actuator assembly  300  with the linear actuators  301  and  302  fully retracted, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The remote actuator assembly  300  comprises linear actuators  301  and  302 , pins  304  and  305 , (or an equivalent), and a mounting bracket grove  303 . The mounting bracket grove  303  extends vertically long recessed within the front face of the remote actuator assembly  300 . The pins  304  and  305  pass through the actuator assembly  300  such that they cross through the mounting bracket groove  303 . Although the remote actuator assembly  300  of  FIG. 3  comprises two pins  304  and  305 , other embodiments of the remote actuator assembly  300  may comprise less or more pins. The number of slots on the mounting bracket  200  for a remote actuator assembly  300  corresponds to the number of pins within the remote actuator assembly  300  such that each of the pins of the remote actuator assembly  300  can engage with a respective pin of the remote actuator assembly  300 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , shown are examples of a perspective view of the remote actuator assembly  300  of  FIG. 3  illustrating the linear actuators  301  and  302  in extended positions. Specifically, in  FIG. 4 , linear actuator  302  is shown in the extended position and linear actuator  301  is fully retracted. In contrast,  FIG. 5  illustrates linear actuator  301  in the extended position and linear actuator  302  being fully retracted. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , shown is an example of the bottom view of the remote actuator assembly  300  of  FIG. 3  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Portions of the pins  304  and  305  can be viewed via the recessed area formed by the mounting bracket groove  303 . The mounting bracket groove  303  engages the mounting bracket  200  ( FIG. 13 ) and the pins  304  and  305  engage the mounting bracket slots ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , shown is an example of a front view of the circuit breaker  100  with the remote actuator assembly  300  installed on the mounting bracket  200 . The purpose of  FIG. 7  is to identify Section A-A which will be further clarified in  FIGS. 8-12 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , shown is an example of the section view as indicated on  FIG. 7  with the remote actuator assembly  300  being installed on the mounting bracket  200 . In the view shown, the remote actuator assembly  300  is positioned as it is being installed such that the linear actuator  301  is clearly above the breaker open button  101  while the pins  304  and  305  are engaged to the mounting bracket slots  203  and  204 , respectively.  FIG. 8  further illustrates that due to dimensional features of the bracket  200  and the actuator assembly  300 , the linear actuators  301 ,  302  of the remote actuator assembly  300  are not in a position that could inadvertently engage the trip and/or close buttons of the circuit breaker. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , shown is an example of the section view as indicated on  FIG. 7  with the remote actuator assembly  300  moved downward into the appropriate operating position and engaged with the mounting bracket  200  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this position, the linear actuator  301  is in the fully retracted position and in alignment with the breaker open button  101 . The pins  304  and  305  are fully engaged in the mounting bracket slots  203  and  204 . 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , shown is an example of the section view as indicated on  FIG. 7  with the remote actuator assembly  300  in the appropriate operating position with the linear actuator  301  extended and pressing the breaker close button  101 . The example drawings in  FIGS. 8-10  illustrate the remote actuator assembly  300  being utilized properly for its intended purpose. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , shown is an example of the section view as indicated on  FIG. 7  with the linear actuator  301  in the extended position and the remote actuator assembly  300  not properly installed on the mounting bracket  200  in accordance to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically,  FIG. 11  shows that if the linear actuator(s)  301 ,  302  of the remote actuator assembly  300  happen to be extended prior to placement on the mounting bracket  200  and a user tries to install the remote actuator assembly  300  onto the mounting bracket  200 , the pins  304 ,  305  will hit the mounting bracket  200  preventing the extended linear actuators from inadvertently engaging with the open button  101  and/or the close button  102  of the circuit breaker  100 . Due to the appropriate dimensions of the mounting bracket  200  with respect to the extended linear actuator  301  (e.g., the depth of the slotted section  201  of the mounting bracket  200  being greater than the length of the extended linear actuator  301 ), the mounting bracket  200  prevents the extended linear actuator  301  from inadvertently engaging with the open button  100 . 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 12 , shown is an example of the section view as indicated on  FIG. 7  with the linear actuator  301  in the extended position and attempting to install the remote actuator assembly  300  with the pins  304  and  305  in alignment with the mounting bracket slots  203  and  204  in accordance to various embodiments of the present disclosure. This illustration shows that if the linear actuator  301  is extended while installing the remote actuator assembly  300  on the mounting bracket  200 , the extended linear actuator  301  will contact the face of the breaker above the breaker open button  101 . The result is similar to the illustration in  FIG. 11 , whereas the linear actuator  301 , when in the extended position, is unable to inadvertently depress the breaker open button  101  while the actuator is being installed. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 8-12  illustrate examples of sectional drawings that only show the linear actuator  301  for the breaker open button  101 . The same principles described above in references to these figures would also apply to the breaker close button  101  and the linear actuator  301 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 13-17  illustrate examples of drawings of perspective views showing the unique features of the mounting bracket  200  as the typical remote actuator assembly  300  is being installed by a human operator. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , shown is an example of a perspective view of the remote actuator assembly  300  being installed by a human operator. The typical remote actuator assembly  300  is shown being aligned by the human operator over the mounting bracket  200 . 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , shown is an example of a perspective view of the remote actuator assembly  300  being installed by a human operator in accordance to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The remote actuator assembly  300  has been installed over mounting bracket  200 , but has not been moved downward into the engaged, or “ready-to-use” operating position. To further clarify, the typical remote actuator assembly  300  is shown in a position that is still above the breaker button  102 . 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , shown is an example of a perspective view of the remote actuator assembly  300  being installed by a human operator in accordance to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The typical remote actuator assembly  300  has been moved in a downward direction, while engaged with the mounting bracket  200 , to the “ready-to-use” operating position. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , shown is an example of a perspective view of a typical remote actuator assembly  300  shown in the “ready-to-use” position in accordance to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0048]      FIG. 17  is an example of a perspective view of the remote actuator assembly  300  being installed by a human operator in which the linear actuator  302  is in the extended position in accordance to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, the extended linear actuator  302  interferes with the face of the breaker which prevents the pins  304  and  305  from engaging with the mounting bracket slots  203  and  204 , thereby preventing the human operator from inadvertently pressing the breaker close button  102 . 
         [0049]    Additionally, it is possible that a mounting bracket  200  could be fabricated and/or mounted onto a circuit breaker  100  with similar features as described in the paragraphs above in which the remote actuator assembly  300  is moved from the left, right, upward, or rotated towards the breaker pushbuttons such that the features would achieve the same protection against an inadvertent operation. 
         [0050]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.