Abstract:
One of the foregoing objectives is basically attained by providing an insulator assembly including a terminal pad having a base that has angularly oriented first and second portions. A first opening in the first portion of the base facilitates connecting to the switch assembly. A second opening in the second portion of the base receives a fastener.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an insulator assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a terminal pad for a switch assembly of an insulator assembly. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an angled terminal pad for receiving an electrical conductor.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Distribution reclosers are mounted to support structures in electrical power distribution systems to prevent longer than momentary disruptions of electrical service, such as might be caused by a short circuit, and to provide continuous electric service. For example, wind conditions often cause power lines strung between poles to swing, thereby momentarily touching each other or a grounded conductor. Additionally, objects may fall across exposed wires, arcing could occur, or other transitory events could cause momentary power line short circuits or current surges that could burn out a fuse or trip a circuit breaker. Most of these faults are self correcting and do not require permanent fuse or circuit breaker protection because they terminate quickly. Reclosers sense and interrupt fault currents and automatically restore service after momentary outages after the temporary fault condition is gone. If a fault is permanent, the recloser locks open after a preset number of operations and isolates the faulted section of the system from the main system.  
           [0003]    Bypass switch assemblies may be used to provide an economical and practical method of bypassing current and disconnecting distribution reclosers to provide maintenance to the reclosers without interrupting electrical service. Once the recloser has been isolated from the electrical distribution system, maintenance may be performed on the recloser without impairing continuous electric power.  
           [0004]    Insulator assemblies are spaced from the support structures to which they are attached, such as utility poles. The size of the switch and the conductor is based upon the current and basic insulation level requirements. The stiffness of a conductor increases as the diameter of the conductor increases. Stiffer conductors are less flexible, thereby preventing them from being easily formed to facilitate connecting with connectors on terminal pads and maintaining electrical clearance to grounded parts. Terminal pads for existing switch assemblies are flat, thereby requiring some forming of conductors to connect to bypass switch assemblies that are mounted near the support structure. Due to the stiffness of large conductors, difficulty exists in forming to the degree necessary to connect to the straight terminal pads of existing insulator assemblies that are mounted near the support structures. Therefore, it is difficult to connect large conductors to terminal pads of existing insulator assemblies that are mounted close to support structures due to the inflexibility of the conductor. A need exists for a terminal pad that allows conductors to be connected to insulator assemblies that are mounted near support structures.  
           [0005]    Insulator assemblies are mounted to support structures using multi-piece mounting assemblies. Such multi-piece mounting assemblies are unwieldy as they require a technician to carry a number of different parts in the field. Moreover, installation is difficult and slow due to the number of parts that must be assembled. Therefore, a need exists for a mounting assembly for an insulator assembly that has few parts and is quick and easy to install.  
           [0006]    Insulator assemblies are supported on base assemblies that are bolted together, which allow movement of the parts of the base assemblies over time. Such movement is due to many uncontrollable events, such as weather, animals, vandalism and the operation of the switches mounted on the base assemblies. Movement of the base assemblies causes the blade and contact of the insulator assemblies to move out of alignment, thereby effecting electricity transfer through the insulator assembly. Therefore, a need exists for a base assembly for an insulator assembly that is rigidly connected and is not prone to movement over time.  
           [0007]    Elaborate shunting devices are needed to transfer electricity from the terminal pads to the contacts of switch assemblies of insulator assemblies when the bypass blades of bypass switch assemblies are in open positions, which is the normal operating position for bypass switch assemblies. The shunting devices are bulky and difficult to install. Therefore, a need exists for a bypass switch assembly that transfers electrical current from the terminal pad of a bypass switch assembly to the contact of a switch assembly of an insulator assembly without a shunting device.  
           [0008]    Therefore, a need exists for improved insulator assemblies.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an insulator assembly having an angled terminal pad to allow the insulator assembly receiving a large, inflexible conductor to be mounted near support structures, thereby omitting the risk of electrical flashover that may cause equipment damage and/or serious injury to user, and eliminating the necessity of forming the conductor to connect it to the terminal pad.  
           [0010]    The foregoing objective is basically attained by providing an insulator assembly including a terminal pad having a base that has angularly oriented first and second portions. A first opening in the first portion of the base facilitates connecting to the switch assembly. A second opening in the second portion of the base receives a fastener. The angular orientation between the first and second portions of the base allow the terminal pad to be mounted closer to the support structure since a conductor will not have to be bent to connect to the terminal pad.  
           [0011]    Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    Referring now to the drawings that form a part of the original disclosure:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an insulator assembly according to the present invention mounted to a support and receiving a conductor;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the insulator assembly of FIG. 1 with a bypass switch assembly;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the switch assembly of FIG. 2 without the mounting bracket;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the insulator assembly of FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a terminal pad of the insulator assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a base assembly of the insulator assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the base assembly of FIG. 6, showing insulators mounted to the base;  
         [0020]    FIG. 8  is front elevational view of a mounting bracket of the insulator assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 8, showing the mounting bracket secured to a support;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the bypass switch assembly of FIG. 2, showing the bypass blade in a closed position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the bypass switch assembly of FIG. 10;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a partial side elevational view in cross section of a spacer of the bypass switch assembly of FIG. 10;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the spacer of the bypass switch assembly of FIG. 10, in which the bypass blade is in an open position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of the bypass switch assembly, the switch assembly and the recloser assembly of the present invention, showing the bypass assembly in an open position and the switch assemblies in a closed position; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 is the circuit diagram of FIG. 14, showing the bypass assembly in a closed position and the switch assemblies in an open position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 15 , the present invention relates to an insulator assembly  11  for a recloser assembly  13 . The insulator assembly  11  includes two switch assemblies  15  and  17  and a bypass switch assembly  19 , as shown in FIG. 4. The insulator assembly  11  provides economical and simple electrical bypassing and electrical disconnecting of the recloser assembly from the electrical distribution system. Switch assemblies  15  and  17  and bypass switch assembly  19  are mounted on a base assembly  31 . A mounting bracket  41  connected to the base assembly  31  secures the insulator assembly to a support  21 , such as a utility pole.  
         [0029]    The first switch assembly  15 , as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , has first and second insulators  51  and  53 , respectively. First insulator  51  has first and second end fittings  55  and  57 , respectively, attached at opposite ends of the first insulator. Second insulator  53  also has first and second end fittings  59  and  61  attached at opposite ends of the second insulator. The first end fittings  55  and  59  of insulators  51  and  53  receive fasteners for mounting each insulator to a base assembly  31 . A first end  63  of a first switch blade  64  is pivotally connected to the second end fitting  57  of the first insulator  51 . A second end  65  of the first switch blade  64  is engaged with a first contact  67  that is connected to the second end fitting  61  of the second insulator  53 . A first hook  69  connected to the second end fitting  61  guides the first switch blade  64  into electrical contact with the first contact  67  during closing of the first switch assembly  15 .  
         [0030]    The second switch assembly  17 , as shown in FIG. 4, is assembled similarly to the first switch assembly  15 . The second switch assembly  17  has first and second insulators  71  and  73 , respectively. First insulator  71  has first and second end fittings, similar to end fittings  55  and  57 , attached at opposite ends of the first insulator. Second insulator  73  also has first and second end fittings, similar to end fittings  59  and  61 , attached at opposite ends of the second insulator. The first end fittings of insulators  71  and  73  receive fasteners for mounting each insulator to a base assembly  31 . A first end  83  of a second switch blade  84  is pivotally connected to the second end fitting of the first insulator  71 . A second end  85  of the second switch blade  84  is engaged with a second contact  87  that is connected to the second end fitting of the second insulator  73 . A second hook  89  connected to the second end fitting guides the second switch blade  84  into electrical contact with the second contct  87  during closing of the second switch assembly  17 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , first terminal pad  91  is connected between the second end fitting  57  of the first insulator  51  of the first switch assembly  15  and the first end  63  of the first switch blade  64 . As shown in FIG. 4, second terminal pad  93  is connected between the second end fitting of the first insulator  71  of the second switch assembly  17  and the first end  83  of the second switch blade  79 .  
         [0032]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 , the first terminal pad  91  has a base  95  having angularly oriented first and second portions  95  and  97 , respectively. Preferably, the first and second portions  95  and  97  are integrally connected. Preferably, the angle  98  (FIG. 2) between first and second portions  95  and  97  is less than 180 degrees. More preferably, angle  98  is approximately 120 degrees. A first opening  101  in the first portion  95  facilitates connecting the first terminal pad  91  to the second end fitting  57  of the first insulator  51  of the first switch assembly  15 . A second opening  103  in the second portion  99  receives a fastener to facilitate connecting a connector  105  (FIG. 1) to the first terminal pad  91 . Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, there are two first openings  101  and two second openings  103 . Second terminal pad  93  is constructed similarly to first terminal pad  91 .  
         [0033]    Base assembly  31 , shown in FIGS.  6 - 7 , has a first, second and third support members  32 ,  33  and  34 , respectively. Preferably, each of the support members is substantially U-shaped, as shown in FIG. 7. A first end  35  of third support member  34  is attached to first support member  32 . A second end  36  of third support member  34  is attached to second support member  32 . Preferably, third support member  34  is welded to first and second support members  32  and  33 , respectively, thereby providing a rigid base assembly  31 . Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, first and second support members  32  and  33  are substantially parallel and third support member  34  is substantially perpendicular to both first and second support members.  
         [0034]    First support member  32  has first and second pluralities of holes  37  and  38 , respectively, for receiving first and second insulators  71  and  73  of the second switch assembly  17 . Second support member  33  has second and third pluralities of holes  39  and  40  for receiving first and second insulators  51  and  53  of first insulator assembly  15 . Each of the first, second, third and fourth pluralities of holes  37 ,  38 ,  39  and  40  are adapted to receive a variety of insulator configurations, thereby providing versatility to the base assembly. Third support member has a fifth plurality of holes  30  for connecting to a support structure or to the mounting bracket  41 .  
         [0035]    Mounting bracket  41 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7- 8 , has a base  42  having first and second ends  43  and  44 , respectively. A first leg  45  has a first end  46  attached to the first end  43  of the base  42 . Preferably, angle  115  between first leg  45  and base  42  is approximately 30 degrees. A second leg  47  has a first end  48  attached to the second end  44  of the base  42 . Preferably, angle  117  between second leg  47  and base  42  is approximately 150 degrees. Preferably, first leg  45  and second leg  47  are substantially parallel. A first foot  111  extends from second end  49  of first leg  45 . A second foot extends  113  from second end  50  of second leg  47 . Preferably, first foot  111  and second foot  113  extend in opposite directions from first and second legs  45  and  47 , respectively. Preferably, base  42 , first leg  45 , first foot  111 , second leg  47  and second foot  113  are integrally connected.  
         [0036]    Fastener holes  119  and  121  in first and second feet  111  and  113 , respectively, receive fasteners  123  and  125  to secure mounting bracket  41  to a support  21 , such as a utility pole. Fastener hole  127  in base  41  receives fastener  129  to secure mounting bracket  41  to base assembly  31 .  
         [0037]    Corners  131 ,  133 ,  135  and  137  of first and second feet  111  and  113  of mounting bracket  41  are bent toward support structure  21  to provide a more secure attachment to the support structure. Bent corners  131 ,  133 ,  135  and  137  dig into support structure as  123  and  125  are tightened, thereby providing additional stability to the insulator assembly  11  during the lifetime of the insulator assembly  11 .  
         [0038]    The bypass switch assembly  19 , as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and  10 - 11 , allows for quick and easy bypassing and disconnecting of the recloser assembly  13  from the electrical distribution system. The bypass switch assembly  19  is shown in a closed position in FIG. 4; an open position is shown with phantom lines. The bypass switch assembly  19  has first and second terminal pads  141  and  143 , respectively, for receiving and transferring electrical current. Connectors (not shown) may be attached to terminal pads  141  and  143  to receive electrical conductors. A bypass blade  145  transfers electrical current from first terminal pad  141  to second terminal pad  143  when in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 4. In normal operation, bypass blade  145  is in an open position, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4, and first and second switch blades  64  and  84  are in a closed position to transfer electrical current to and from the recloser assembly. Closing bypass blade  145  and opening first and second switch blades  64  and  84  electrically isolates the recloser assembly from the electrical distribution system by transferring the electrical current from the first terminal pad  141  to the second terminal pad  143 , thereby bypassing the first and second switch assemblies  15  and  17 .  
         [0039]    When the bypass switch assembly is in the open position, a spacer  151 , as shown in FIGS.  10 - 14 , transmits electrical current from the first terminal pad  141  to a contact (first latch)  67  of the first switch blade  64  of the first switch assembly  15 . When the bypass blade  145  is closed, the spacer  151  serves no function since electrical current is not transferred to the first switch blade  64  since it is in an open position.  
         [0040]    Spacer  151  is disposed in opening  152  in steel support member  153 . The steel support member provides the same function as that of the first hook  69  of the first switch assembly  15 , i.e., facilitates closing of the bypass blade  145  and connecting with contact end  142  of first terminal pad  141 . Preferably, spacer  151  is thicker than the steel support member  153 , thereby providing a good electrical contact between the first terminal pad  141  of the bypass assembly  19  and the contact (first latch)  67  of the first switch assembly  15 . Fastener  161  secures bypass switch assembly terminal pad  141 , steel support member  153 , and first latch  67  and first hook of first switch assembly  15  together.  
         [0041]    Assembly, Disassembly and Operation  
         [0042]    An insulator assembly  11  according to the present invention is shown fully assembled in FIG. 2. The insulator assembly  11  has a base assembly  31  to which first and second switch assemblies  15  and  17  are mounted. A bypass assembly  19  may then be added by attaching a first end of the bypass switch assembly to the first switch assembly and attaching a second end of the bypass switch assembly to the second switch assembly, as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 2, the base assembly  31  is then secured by fasteners  129  to the mounting bracket  41 . The base assembly  31  may be directly secured to a support structure without mounting bracket  41 . The mounting bracket  41  is then secured using fasteners  123  and  125  to a support structure  21 , as shown in FIG. 1. For reasons of clarity, the bypass switch assembly is not shown in FIG. 1. As fasteners  123  and  125  are tightened, bent corners  131 ,  133 ,  135  and  137  are drawn into support structure  21 , thereby providing a secure attachment to the support structure.  
         [0044]    Electrical conductors  171  from the recloser assembly  13  are then connected to connectors  105  attached to first and second terminal pads of first and second switch assemblies  15  and  17 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. Electrical conductors (not shown) to and from the insulator assembly  11  are connected to first and second terminal pads  141  and  143  of the bypass switch assembly.  
         [0045]    Electrical circuit diagrams of the insulator assembly  11  and the recloser assembly  13  are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The normal operating mode is shown in FIG. 15. Electrical current is received at the first terminal pad  141  of bypass switch assembly  19  (FIG. 4). Since bypass switch assembly  19  is in the open position, the electrical current is prevented from traveling through the bypass switch assembly. The electrical current is transferred through the first switch assembly  15 , through the recloser assembly  13  and through the second switch assembly  17 . The electrical current is transferred to the second terminal pad  143  of the bypass switch assembly  19  and is then transferred from the insulator assembly  11 .  
         [0046]    The bypass mode of the insulator assembly  11  is shown in FIG. 14. Both the first and second switch assemblies  15  and  17  are in the open position and the bypass switch assembly  19  is in the closed position. Since the first switch assembly  15  is open, electrical current travels through the bypass switch assembly  19  and is then transferred from the insulator assembly  11 , thereby bypassing the recloser assembly  13 . The bypass mode electrically isolates the recloser assembly from the electrical distribution system so work may be performed on the recloser assembly.  
         [0047]    While advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.