Patent ID: 12211661

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the arrangements are not limited in application to the details of embodiment and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates a recloser10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The recloser10includes a housing assembly14, a vacuum interrupter (“VI”) assembly18, a status indicator assembly20, a source conductor assembly22, and an actuator assembly26. The VI assembly18includes a first terminal30extending from the housing assembly14along a first longitudinal axis34, and the source conductor assembly22includes a second terminal38extending from the housing assembly14along a second longitudinal axis42perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis34. In other embodiments, the second longitudinal axis42may be obliquely oriented relative to the first longitudinal axis34. As described in greater detail below, the actuator assembly26operates the VI assembly18to selectively break and/or reestablish a conductive pathway between the first and second terminals30,38.

The illustrated housing assembly14includes a main housing46constructed from an insulating material, such as epoxy, that forms a solid dielectric module. For example, the main housing46can be constructed from a silicone or cycloaliphatic epoxy or a fiberglass molding compound. In the illustrated embodiment, the main housing46is covered with a silicone rubber layer that withstands heavily polluted environments and serves as a dielectric material for the recloser10. The silicone rubber layer may be overmolded onto the main housing46. In the illustrated embodiment, the main housing46includes a first bushing50that surrounds and at least partially encapsulates the VI assembly18, and a second bushing54that surrounds and at least partially encapsulates the source conductor assembly22. The silicone rubber layer includes a plurality of sheds58extending radially outward from both bushings50,54. The first and second bushings50,54are integrally formed together with the main housing46as a single monolithic structure in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the first and second bushings50,54may be formed separately and coupled to the main housing46in a variety of ways (e.g., via a threaded connection, snap-fit, etc.).

With reference toFIG.2, the VI assembly18includes a vacuum bottle62at least partially molded within the first bushing50of the main housing46. The vacuum bottle62encloses a movable contact66and a stationary contact70. The movable contact66is movable along the first longitudinal axis34between a closed position (illustrated inFIG.2) and an open position (not shown) to selectively establish or break contact with the stationary contact70. The first terminal30is electrically coupled to the stationary contact70and is configured to be electrically coupled to a first power transmission line (not shown).

The source conductor assembly22includes a source conductor74and a sensor assembly78, each at least partially molded within the second bushing54of the main housing46. The sensor assembly78can include a current transformer, a voltage sensor, or both. One end of the source conductor74is electrically coupled to the movable contact66via a current interchange82. The opposite end of the source conductor74is electrically coupled to the second terminal38, which in turn is configured to be electrically coupled to a second power transmission line (not shown).

With continued reference toFIG.2, the actuator assembly26includes a drive shaft86extending through the main housing46and coupled at one end to the movable contact66of the VI assembly18. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft86is coupled to the movable contact66via an encapsulated spring90to permit limited relative movement between the drive shaft86and the movable contact66. The opposite end of the drive shaft86is coupled to an output shaft94, which in turn is coupled to a plunger103of an electromagnetic actuator98. The electromagnetic actuator98is operable to move the plunger103—and with it, the output shaft94and drive shaft86—along the first longitudinal axis34to move the movable contact66relative to the stationary contact70.

The actuator assembly26includes a controller (not shown) that controls operation of the electromagnetic actuator98. In some embodiments, the controller receives feedback from the sensor assembly78and energizes a coil101of the electromagnetic actuator98in response to one or more sensed conditions. The coil101may be energized with positive or negative polarity in order to linearly move the plunger103within the actuator98. For example, the controller may receive feedback from the sensor assembly78indicating that a fault or trip has occurred. In response, the controller may control the electromagnetic actuator98to move the plunger103, output shaft94, drive shaft86, and movable contact66downward. The movable contact66separates from the fixed contact70, thereby opening the VI assembly18and breaking the circuit between the terminals30,38. The controller may also control the electromagnetic actuator98to automatically close the VI assembly18once the fault has been cleared (e.g., as indicated by the sensor assembly78) by energizing the electromagnetic actuator98to move the plunger103, output shaft94, drive shaft86, and movable contact66upward. The movable contact66engages the fixed contact70and re-establishes the circuit between the terminals30,38.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator assembly26further includes a manual trip assembly102that can be used to manually open the VI assembly18. The manual trip assembly102includes a handle104accessible from an exterior of the housing assembly14(FIG.1). The handle104is rotatable to move a yoke106inside the housing assembly14(FIG.2). The yoke106is engageable with a collar110on the output shaft94to move the movable contact66toward the open position.

The housing assembly14further includes an actuator housing114enclosing the electromagnetic actuator98and a mounting head118coupled between the actuator housing114and the main housing46. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting head118is coupled to the main housing46by a first plurality of threaded fasteners122, and the actuator housing114is coupled to the mounting head118opposite the main housing46by a second plurality of threaded fasteners126. (FIG.1).

Referring now toFIGS.3-5, the status indicator assembly20includes a drive mechanism130at least partially supported by a casing99of the electromagnetic actuator98, a display assembly134, and a cover assembly138(FIGS.3and5) at least partially enclosing the display assembly134. As described in greater detail below, the drive mechanism130is operable to rotate the display assembly134in response to operation of the electromagnetic actuator98, to indicate an operational status (i.e. contacts66,70open or contacts66,70closed) of the recloser10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the indicator assembly20is positioned at an end of the housing assembly14that is generally opposite the first terminal30along the first longitudinal axis34. As such, the indicator assembly20is positioned on a bottom portion of the recloser10when the recloser10is mounted in an upright position (e.g.,FIG.2), such that the indicator assembly20is viewable from below the recloser10from various different angles, the significance of which will be expanded on below with reference toFIGS.10A-10C.

With reference toFIG.3, the cover assembly138includes an outer protective cover or shell142and a frame146at least partially surrounded by the shell142. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell142is generally transparent or translucent such that the frame146is viewable through the shell142when covered or surrounded by the shell142. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell142and inner frame146are fastened, press-fit, or otherwise coupled to the bottom end of the actuator housing114. The shell142and the inner frame146each include a central aperture150formed in an end or nose152part of the cover assembly138, opposite the actuator housing114. The apertures150are centrally aligned with the first longitudinal axis34and may provide drainage and ventilation to inhibit condensation and clouding of the shell142.

Referring toFIGS.3A-4, the display assembly134includes an indicator body158having a plurality of first sections162and a plurality of second sections166(FIG.4) equally spaced on the indicator body158about the first longitudinal axis34. A clamping assembly154attaches the indicator body158to the drive mechanism130(FIG.3A). In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping assembly154includes a clamping body155and a clamping plate156coupled to the clamping body155(e.g., by one or more fasteners). The indicator body158is sandwiched between the clamping body155and the clamping plate156to couple the indicator body158for co-rotation with the clamping assembly154.

Referring toFIG.4, the indicator body158has a frustoconical shape in the illustrated embodiment, such that the first and second sections162,166on the indicator body158are angled relative the first longitudinal axis34. In other embodiments, the indicatory body158may be hemispherical, disc shaped, or the like. The first and second sections162,166alternate in a circumferential direction of the indicator body158and contrast with one another to make the different sections162,166identifiable. For example, the first plurality of sections162includes a first color (e.g., red, pink, amber, etc.) and the second plurality of sections166includes a second color (e.g., green, blue, etc.) contrasting with the first color. The sections162,166may additionally or alternatively include contrasting indicia or markings, such as the word “open” or the word “closed.” In the illustrated embodiment, “closed” corresponds to the first color (e.g., red) while “open” corresponds to the second color (e.g., green). In some embodiments, the colored portions of the first and second sections162,166and/or the indicia are adhered to the indicator body158. In other embodiments, the indicator body158itself may be painted or formed from colored materials to form the sections162,166.

With reference toFIGS.3and5, the frame146and shell142each generally define a shape complimentary to the shape of the indicator body158such that the indicator body158fits within the cover assembly138. Stated another way, the angle relative to the first longitudinal axis34at which the first and second plurality of sections162,166on the indicator body158are supported in the display assembly134is substantially similar to the angle of the nose portion152of the cover assembly138relative to the first longitudinal axis34.

The first and second pluralities of sections162,166are alternately viewable through windows168(FIG.3) formed in the frame146. As stated above, the shell142is generally transparent, such that the sections162,166are viewable through the shell142and the windows168. As further illustrated inFIGS.3and5, the illustrated frame146includes four windows168equally circumferentially spaced about the frame146, and each of the first and second pluralities of sections162,166includes four similarly colored sections (e.g., four red sections and four green sections) that are selectively alignable with the four windows168. In general, the indicator body158is rotated within the cover assembly138by the drive mechanism130to align either the first plurality of sections162or the second plurality of sections166with the windows168to indicate the operational status of the recloser10. In other embodiments, the indicator body158and frame146may include any other desired number of sections162,166and corresponding number of windows168.

Referring now toFIG.3A, the drive mechanism130of the indicator assembly20is coupled to the plunger103of the electromagnetic actuator98to receive a force generated through the electromagnetic actuator98(e.g., in response to energizing the coil101of the electromagnetic actuator98). A plurality of guide pins172(FIGS.8B and8C) extends from the electromagnetic actuator98and is received by a corresponding plurality of guide bores174formed in a carrier member176of the drive mechanism130. The pins172slidably engage the bores174, such as through linear bearings or slide bushings (not shown) supported within the bores174, to accommodate movement of the carrier176along the first longitudinal axis34relative the electromagnetic actuator98. The pins172also engage the bores174to inhibit relative rotational movement (e.g., about the first longitudinal axis34) between the carrier176and the electromagnetic actuator98.

With reference toFIGS.6and8C, the pins172each extend from the casing99of the electromagnetic actuator98and support the entirety of the display assembly134and the drive assembly130from the casing99. As such, the cover assembly138does not support or otherwise bear any of the weight or internal forces produced by the drive assembly130or display assembly134. As illustrated inFIG.7, the indicator body158is spaced from inner frame146of the cover assembly138to define a gap therebetween.

The pins172extend through the carrier176, and couple to a flange or platform178. In this manner, the platform178is supported by/mounted on the pins172and thereby fixed to the casing99of the electromagnetic actuator98. The carrier176is slidably moveable along the pins172relative to and between the platform178and the casing99. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform178includes seats179a(FIG.8A) that receive fasteners179b(FIG.6) therein to attach the pins172to the platform178; however, the platform178may be attached to the pins172in other ways.

Referring toFIGS.3A,6, and7, a drive shaft180is fixed to the plunger103of the electromagnetic actuator98and moves with the plunger103along the first longitudinal axis34in response to operation of the electromagnetic actuator98. The drive shaft180provides a linear input to the drive mechanism130, to move the carrier176along the first longitudinal axis34between a first or closed position of the indicator assembly20(FIG.6), in which the carrier176is positioned adjacent the casing99, and a second or open position of the indicator assembly20(FIG.7), in which the carrier176is adjacent the platform178. The open position of the indicator assembly20corresponds with the open position of the contacts66,70, and the closed position of the indicator assembly20corresponds with the closed position of the contacts66,70(FIG.2). The drive mechanism130converts the linear movement of the drive shaft180into rotational movement of the indicator body158.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, movement of the drive shaft180towards the electromagnetic actuator98causes the indicator body158to rotate about the first longitudinal axis34to align the first plurality of sections162(red) with the viewing windows168to thereby indicate a closed status of the circuit/recloser10. Movement of the drive shaft180away from the electromagnetic actuator98causes the indicator body158to rotate about the first longitudinal axis34to align the second plurality of sections162(green) with the viewing windows168to thereby indicate an open status of the circuit/recloser10. Stated another way, an operator or viewer is able to determine from the indicator assembly20whether the recloser10is in an energized/closed operating state or a de-energized/open operating state.

Referring toFIG.3A, the carrier176accommodates a plurality of coil springs182in respective bores186extending longitudinally within the carrier176. The springs182extend between the carrier176and an end of the casing99to bias the carrier176away from the electromagnetic actuator98(i.e. toward the open position). Thus, the springs182also act to bias the drive shaft180, and with it, the plunger103, output shaft94, drive shaft86, and movable contact66(FIG.2), toward the open position. In this way, the springs182may assist the electromagnetic actuator98in opening the contacts66,70.

Referring toFIGS.8A-8C, the drive mechanism130further includes a driven gear194and a drive gear198. The drive gear198, best illustrated inFIG.8C, is fastened to the carrier176for movement therewith along the first longitudinal axis34. The drive gear198is attached to the carrier176so as to inhibit relative rotation between the carrier176and the drive gear198. In some embodiments, the drive gear198may be integrally formed with the carrier176.

The illustrated drive gear198includes a plurality of helical splines or grooves202that extend about the first longitudinal axis34. The helical splines202on the drive gear198define an interior206of the drive gear198. The helical splines202of the drive gear198slidably engage a corresponding plurality of helical splines210formed on the driven gear194. Similar to the drive gear198, the helical splines210of the driven gear194extend helically about the first longitudinal axis34. The helical splines210on the driven gear194define an exterior214of the driven gear194.

As best illustrated inFIG.8A, the drive mechanism130further includes an output shaft assembly190extending along the longitudinal axis34. The output shaft assembly190includes a first thrust bearing or washer218, a second thrust bearing or washer222, a first or input dampener232, and a second or output dampener236. The driven gear194is held axially along the first longitudinal axis34between the first thrust bearing218and the second thrust bearing222. When the carrier176is moved linearly along the first longitudinal axis34, the drive gear198moves axially along the driven gear194. As such, the helical splines202of the drive gear198engage the helical splines210of the driven gear194to impart a rotational movement to the driven gear194, which in turn rotates the output drive shaft238, the clamp assembly154, and the indicator body158, as discussed below.

Referring toFIGS.9A-B, the illustrated output drive shaft238has a square cross-sectional shape, but may have other shapes, such as other polygonal or non-circular cross-sectional shapes in other embodiments. The input dampener232is supported within the driven gear194and surrounds the output drive shaft238(FIG.9A). The output dampener236is supported within the clamping assembly154and surrounds the output drive shaft238(FIG.9B). Each of the dampeners232,236includes a plurality of dampening elements237abutting the flat sides of the output drive shaft238. The dampening elements237may be made of an elastomeric material, foam material, or any other compressible material suitable for dampening torque transmission from the driven gear194to the output drive shaft238and from the output drive shaft238to the clamp assembly154. The output shaft assembly190may further include one or more bushings or spacers240to further support the output drive shaft238.

The input dampener232and the output dampener236are arranged in series. As such, the dampening effects of the input dampener232and the output dampener236are added increase the amount of dampening from the driven gear194to the indicator body158. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the input dampener232is compressible to permit up to 30 degrees of relative rotation between the driven gear194and the output drive shaft238, and the output dampener236is compressible to permit up to 30 degrees of relative rotation between the output drive shaft238and the clamp assembly154(and thus, the indicator body158). As such, the input dampener232and the output dampener236collectively permit up to 60 degrees of relative rotation between the driven gear194and the indicator body158. In other embodiments, the respective dampeners232,236may each permit between 15 degrees and 45 degrees of relative rotation, for a total between 30 degrees and 90 degrees.

Axial movement of the drive gear198, which is converted to rotation of the driven gear194by the engagement of the splines210,202as described above, rotates the output drive shaft238, which in turn rotates the indicator body158of the display assembly134about the first longitudinal axis34. The dampeners232,236, allow for limited relative rotation of the driven gear194and the clamp assembly154relative to the output drive shaft238, while additionally dampening the forces generated by the electromagnetic actuator98and terminating in the display assembly134. In some scenarios, the forces generated by the electromagnetic actuator98may be very high, and the dampening effect reduces wear on the drive mechanism130and the display assembly134.

With reference toFIG.10A-10C, the illustrated recloser10is provided with a mounting bracket300that interfaces with the mounting head118to facilitate mounting the recloser10in a variety of different orientations. As illustrated inFIGS.10B and10C, the orientation of the mounting bracket300may also be varied to change the orientation of the longitudinal axes34,42of the recloser10(e.g., from vertical to horizontal) to facilitate the indicator assembly20being visible in such various orientations, as well as for other reasons not specifically described (e.g., desired application, wiring requirements, etc.).

Thus, the present disclosure sets forth, among other things, a high voltage recloser10suitable for use in power transmission applications up to 72.5 kV. The recloser10includes an indicator assembly20that is visible in various mounting orientations of the recloser10to indicate an operational status of the recloser. In addition, the indicator assembly20is able to withstand large actuation forces generated by the electromagnetic actuator98and springs182of the recloser10by including dampeners232,238within the indicator drive mechanism130.FIGS.11and12provide additional illustration of the indicator assembly20and electromagnetic actuator98.

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.